Preparing for Commencement | Schedule of Events | Ceremony Information | Abilene Information (Including Lodging) | Map to ACU (How to Get to Campus) | Campus Map (How to Find Your Way Around)
For Master's and Doctoral Candidate instructions, please click here to visit the Graduate School's Graduation page.
The Senior Graduation Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 18th has been cancelled. Please watch your ACU mailbox for graduation information.
Preparing for Commencement
1. Financial Aid Arrangements
All students who have NOT conducted an Exit Interview with a representative of the Student Financial Services Office, OR who have NOT cleared their Student Account balance, must do so before beginning graduation procedures.
If necessary, you may make an appointment with a counselor in the Student Financial Services Office in the Welcome Center, Zellner Room 100.
2. Diplomas
The name and mailing address on the Commencement Information Form will be used for the Commencement program and to print and mail diplomas. Therefore, you MUST fill out the Commencement Information Form (you will be sent an email when this form is available on-line).
You will be receiving only your diploma cover at the ceremony. If the address to which you want your diploma mailed (within two months following Commencement) has changed, it is your responsibility to inform the Registrar's Office.
3. Invitations
Invitations may be ordered in The Campus Store beginning Monday, October 23rd. The last day to order is Friday, December 8th.
Schedule of Events
Friday, December 15, 2006
3:00 p.m. Undergraduate Rehearsal in Moody Coliseum
ALL Candidates and their escorts are expected to attend!
Bachelor's Candidates: Remember to bring your hood and mortar board with you to rehearsal.
7:00 p.m. Undergraduate Processional Line-Up, Teague Special Events Center
Bachelor's candidates and their escorts should report to their assigned stations 30 minutes prior to ceremony. Family members attending the ceremony should go directly to Moody Coliseum.
7:30 p.m. Commencement Ceremonies, Moody Coliseum
Ceremony Information
1. Dress and Regalia
Men: Suit coats are not required, but ties should be worn. Dark slacks, dark socks, and dark shoes are considered appropriate apparel for academic regalia occasions.
Ladies: Dark clothing (either blouses and skirts or dresses) should be worn under the black robes. Light colors of clothing should be worn under the white robes.
No flowers are to be worn or carried.
According to traditions of academic regalia, no jewelry or non-academic accessories should be worn on the outside of the robe; no accessories or decor on the cap. The only exceptions are the gold stole worn by Honors Program students, the medallion worn by University Scholar student, the gold braid worn by departmental honors, and the discipline-based Honor regalia.
Sunday dress or business casual is the most appropriate attire for guests.
Purchasing Regalia
Academic regalia will be available in The Campus Store Tuesday through Friday (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) during Commencement week. The campus store will be open Friday until 7 p.m. Regalia may not be charged to student accounts.
Bachelor Candidates may purchase a complete set (consisting of the black undergraduate gown, the white escort gown, the hood, the cap and the tassel) for $60.
Associate Candidates may purchase a complete set (consisting of the black undergraduate gown, the cap and the tassel) for $45.
Disposing of Academic Regalia
The regalia you wear in the commencement ceremonies at ACU is yours to keep or dispose of as you wish.
If you have no other need for any or all pieces of your regalia, please consider donating them to the Preacher Training and Bible Schools sponsored by the Churches of Christ in several countries in Africa. Due to economic conditions in many of these countries, the students who complete their training cannot afford a gown for their graduation ceremonies. Several ACU faculty members have recognized this situation and are interested in supporting these schools in this way.
After the ceremony, you may deposit the regalia items for which you have no further use in the RED collection containers located in the lobby of the Teague Center.
2. Photography
During the ceremony, each graduate will walk across the stage and receive a diploma cover. Your photograph will be taken at this point by a professional photographer. Since this service is provided by the university, all family members and guests are asked to remain in their seats during the entire ceremony. Under no circumstances will anyone other than the professional photographer be allowed on the platform or the Moody floor to take pictures. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
3. Seating for Elderly and those with Physical Limitations
If you have disabled or elderly guests who might have difficulty in climbing stairs, seats will be reserved in the lower rows of Sections U, A, and B on the east side of the Coliseum and Sections K, L, and M on the west side of the Coliseum. Designated seats will be marked with "Physical Limitations" signs.
Note: Due to limited seating and a growing demand for this service, please arrange for all other family members and guests to sit elsewhere in the Coliseum.
4. Seating for guests requiring Sign Language Interpreter
If members of your family or other guests require the services of a signer, seats will be reserved for them in the lower rows of Section L. The signs on these seats will read "Reserved for Guests requiring Sign Language Interpretation."
5. Academic Honors Designations in Printed Program
At ACU, three levels of honors are noted during commencement:
- "Summa Cum Laude" - 3.8 - 4.000 GPA
- "Magna Cum Laude" - 3.6 - 3.799 GPA
- "Cum Laude" - 3.4 - 3.599 GPA
Honors at graduation are based on a student's GPA (as noted above) for courses taken at ACU. A student must complete at least 64 hours of course work at ACU to graduate with honors. Honors listed in the graduation program are based on the GPA as of the last previous term. If the final term's grades alter the student's standing, the correct honor will be noted on the diploma.
If you have any concerns or questions you may check with a representative from the Registrar's Office.
6. Extra or Unusual Noises during Ceremony
Please ask your family members and guests to refrain from bringing air horns or other unusual noise-making instruments into the Coliseum for use during the ceremony. The ACU Commencement ceremony is not a high school ceremony. Thank you for your cooperation.
7. Recessional
Please ask your family and guests at the ceremony to remain in their seats until the recessional is finished. The recessional line will exit Moody Coliseum through the north doors. Please stay in line with your fellow graduates until you have exited the building.
8. Reception
There will be a reception for graduates and their families in the Teague Special Events Center following the ceremony.
Do you have questions that were not answered by this Web site?
Please contact your graduating student. If you need further assistance, please call the Registrar's Office at 325-674-2236 or e-mail us at graduation@registrar.acu.edu.
For graduate commencement information, please contact the Graduate School at 325-674-2223, or click here to visit the Graduate School's Graduation page.
