The commencement ceremony symbolizes the culmination of many years of hard work, and it is a time for you, your family, and friends to recognize and celebrate your success. It is a formal time, and we ask your help in making the ceremony a pleasant experience for all by considering the rights and feelings of other participants and guests.

Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 2 PM, in the Gaulke Activity Center, on campus, west of the main building.

Commencement programs will be handed out at the door to all guests as they enter the activity center. Graduates will receive theirs at the check-in table.

The graduation application that you previously completed has a place to list your name exactly as you want it to be printed on your diploma as well as in the graduation program.

Students will congregate in the main chapel in the west end of the main building, first floor. All graduates will march single file as a group to the Gaulke Activity Center.

There will not be an assigned marching order except by degree status (e.g. Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Associate in Arts).

A cap and gown order will be placed for you if you indicated that you are participating in the commencement exercises. The information requested is listed on your graduation application. All information relating to height and weight is kept confidential and only used to order the correct gown. The gowns are yours to keep and the cost is included in the graduation fees that were added to your bill at the beginning of the third semester. If you do not plan to walk in commencement but wish to purchase a gown, you MUST make those wishes known to the Registrar by calling 405.692.199.

Gowns will be available for pickup approximately two weeks prior to commencement. You may pick up your gown the day of commencement at the check-in table located in the main building lobby, west door, first floor.

All graduates must wear caps and gowns purchased through the Registrar's office—no exceptions. Visible costumes over or under commencement regalia or outfits other than cap and gown are not allowed. Men, remember to take your cap off during the opening prayer and do not replace it until the presenting of the graduates.

You may park anywhere on campus except where you see orange parking cones. That area is restricted for a photo shoot after the ceremony. There will be overflow parking at Antioch Christian Church, west of the Gaulke Activity Center.

Your guests may arrive anytime; however, the Gaulke Activity Center will not open for seating before 12:30 pm. No food or drink is allowed in the Activity Center.

The faculty and graduates will be seated in reserved seating. Seats will be marked as such. There will be additional seating behind them and all theatre seating not marked as 'reserved' will be available. We anticipate enough seating for everyone so there will be no need to reserve seating for your guests. Handicap seating will be provided.

All students must report to the check-in table located on the first floor west entrance, main building between 12:30 and 1:15 p.m. You will be given a photo card with your name for the presenter to read as you cross the stage. After check-in, you may visit with family or friends until time to congregate in the library or chapel before marching into the University chapel or Gaulke Activity Center.

Candidates for graduation must have an application for graduation on file in the Registrar's Office. Outstanding requirements must be documented as fulfilled or a plan for fulfilling those requirements must be established. The application for graduation must be filed with the Registrar two semesters before graduation. Pending requirements cannot exceed two requirements or six credit hours.

Completion of requirements also refers to community service. A traditional student may not participate in commencement with any community service requirements outstanding.

The names of those who have been cleared by the degree audit will be sent to the Degrees Committee of the University for approval for participation in commencement exercises.

A degree audit is a formal review of a student's educational records for the purpose of verifying that the program requirements have been met. An official audit is done by Registrar personnel. The degree cannot be posted until all official transcripts and documentation have been received.

By contacting the Assistant Registrar, Janice Middlebrooks, at 405.692.3175 of the CAGS registrar Stephanie Davidson at 405.692.3241

A letter will be mailed approximately four weeks before commencement advising you of ceremony procedures, exit interviews and diploma printing practices. There will be an additional mailing if you qualified for graduation honors.

Announcements may be purchased through our college bookstore, 405.692.3187 or online at gradstuff.net.

The commencement ceremony does not provide good close-up photo opportunities for your family and guests. A professional photographer will be present, and the Advancement Office will be offering a DVD for sale. Please contact Brenda Barefoot for details or call 405.692.3191. After the ceremony, please inform family and guests to remain seated as the graduates are led out to a location for a group photo shoot.

Diplomas will be printed after a final degree audit shows that all requirements for the program have been met and an application is on file in the Registrar's Office. At that time, the degree will be posted to the transcript. The transcript will be available immediately. The university has only three printing dates for diplomas (January, July and September). However, the office staff endeavors to print diplomas at other times, as time allows.

No diploma or official transcript will be released if you have an outstanding financial obligation to the university. If you have satisfied all of the academic and financial requirements, your diploma will be mailed by certified mail to the address listed on the graduation application. It is vital that you notify the Registrar's Office of any address change so your diploma will arrive correctly. If you wish to pick up your diploma in person, please notify the Registrar's Office of this fact.

Brunch for graduates of the CAGS Program will be Saturday, May 14th at 11:30 a.m. The Brunch will be in the dining room located in the main administration building. Reservations are required to attend the Brunch. Please call or email Whitney Jones, 405.692.3223, by April 25th to make reservations. CAGS graduate and one guest may attend the Brunch at no charge. Additional guests will cost $7.50 each and $5.00 for children, ages 3-12. Each student is limited to eight guests.

Faculty and staff are invited to attend. To eat Brunch at no charge faculty and staff must RSVP by 3:00 p.m. April 25th to Whitney Jones (405.692.3223 or wjones@macu.edu).