Commencement Information
Graduation Rehearsal
There will be NO REHEARSAL prior to graduation. All candidates for graduation are asked to assemble ONE-HALF HOUR PRIOR to the ceremony.
Graduation with Honors
Candidates for Latin, University, College or Departmental honors will be recognized during the ceremony.
Honor cords will be sent to students who are candidates for Latin honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude). The cords will be mailed to the student's permanent address approximately two weeks prior to commencement.
To be eligible for graduation with honors, an undergraduate student must complete, in residence at Appalachian, a minimum of either four semesters in full-time attendance (defined as twelve or more credit hours per semester), or a total of 58 semester hours. (Note:Credit for which a grade is not awarded will not be used in the determination of honors—e.g., APP, CLEP, credit by examination, credit for military service, credit for prior learning, etc.) A minimum grade-point average of 3.45 is required for graduating cum laude; a minimum grade-point average of 3.65 is required for graduating magna cum laude; and a minimum grade-point average of 3.85 is required for graduating summa cum laude.
The GPA used to recognize candidates for Latin honors (during the ceremony) is the cumulative GPA earned through the immediately preceding (not the current) semester.
Students who are candidates for University honors, College honors, or Department honors will pick cords up at the Honors Office in East Hall. University, College, and Departmental honors are awarded to those students who complete successfully a series of Honors courses and a Senior Honors Thesis.
These cords are to be worn during the ceremony, and are intended to clearly identify the student as a candidate of Latin, University, College or Departmental honors.
Caps and Gowns/Announcements
Caps, gowns and graduation announcements are purchased through the Appalachian Bookstore. A "Graduation Expo" will be held at the Bookstore during fall and spring semester. You will receive information about the Expo in your ASU box.
Caps and gowns can be purchased at this time or at any time through the date of commencement. Personalized announcements can also be purchased at this time. Generic announcements will be available after break. Announcements may be purchased by phone (800) 353-5299 or via the web at www.shop.jostens.com.
Diplomas
Please note that it is a policy of the State of North Carolina that neither diplomas nor transcripts can be released if the student has an unpaid account with the University. Graduating students should contact the Student Accounts Office (Thomas Building (262-2113), the Library (262-2818), and the Bookstore (262-3070) to ensure that their accounts are clear. Note also that students who have received a federal loan (Perkins or Stafford) are required to have an "exit interview" prior to graduation.
A $15.00 diploma fee has been posted to accounts of graduating seniors during the semester you apply to graduate. Students will be charged the diploma fee each time they formally apply to graduate. Please make sure this fee is paid by the end of the semester in which you are graduating.
NOTE: If you need to change the address your diploma is to be mailed to, please contact Jayne Greene in the Registrar's Office (Room 133-Thomas Building).
Dress for Ceremony
Only traditional academic regalia, consisting of a cap, gown, and hood can be worn at Commencement. Business attire is recommended to be worn with regalia. The tassel should be positioned on the right side of your cap. After degrees are conferred, the tassel should be moved to the left side of your cap.
Notification and Advertisement
Students will be sent mailers containing important information pertaining to the Commencement Ceremony. This mailer will also have a commencement invitation attached that the student should bring to the ceremony. If this invitation is misplaced, the student should bring a 3" by 5" index card with their name written on it. Their name and honor (if applicable) will be read from the invitation. These will be mailed to the ASU box approximately two weeks before the ceremony.
Parents will be sent mailers containing information about the Commencement Ceremony. Mailers will be sent approximately two weeks before the ceremony.
Faculty will be sent mailers containing important information pertaining to the Commencement Ceremony. The mailer will also contain information about where faculty are to meet to prepare for the ceremony and an outline as to what will take place during the ceremony.
Processional and Recessional
After students leave the staging area for the recessional, they will not return to that area. Students will recess through the guest seating into the concourse area. Please plan to meet your guests in a specific section of the concourse (see map of Holmes Convocation Center).
Graduation Photos
Photos of the ceremony will be made. Information on purchasing copies will be sent to the student's permanent address. Only authorized press and University photographers are permitted on the floor to take pictures after the ceremony is in progress. Official photographs taken by Chappell Studios, 800-247-3435 or www.chappell.com
