1. Commencement 101 Information Session

2. What is Graduation?
When a student has successfully completed all coursework and all requirements towards a degree from a university or college.

3. Undergraduate Application for Graduation
Name on Diploma
Hometown
What you put on this line is what is printed on diploma
What you put on this line is what is printed on Commencement Program

4. STEP 4: CLEARING AND GRADUATION

5. Check DEGREEWORKS….

6. Your records agree with ours….
If you find our records do not agree with yours, please visit or call the Office of Records & Registration for additional assistance.

7. Week of Graduation Students will be cleared for graduation beginning
Thursday, December 14
prior to the commencement ceremony.

8. No Pending Issues Coursework & Requirements MUST be completed:
All coursework must be completed and passed.
Cumulative GPA, Major GPA, Minor GPA
Hours above 299
Hours completed minimum degree requirements.
All Cultural Events must be completed

9. Cultural Events Requirement must be completed
This requirement is designed to help students
develop to their full potential as well-educated and
well-rounded individuals.
Winthrop University’s
Cultural Events Requirement
is required to graduate. Students must complete
total # of Cultural Events required.
exposure to culture was an important part of a well-educated and well-rounded individual

10. Completing your Cultural Events Requirement
On Campus Events:
Students must be scanned coming in and out to receive credit.
Must be on time. 1 minute late is too late to receive credit.
Must stay until the end of the event. Any students leaving early will not receive credit.

11. Completing your Cultural Events Requirement
Off-Campus Events:
Use the suggested Off-Campus list on our website.
Students must still petition these events to the Cultural Events Committee to receive credit.
You can assume you will receive credit when attending the suggested off-campus events, providing the proper proof and petition is done.
Students can also attend events not on the suggested off-campus list.
Students must petition these events attended to receive credit.
These events are not guaranteed approval.

12. Cultural Event Petition Process
How do I petition to receive credit for my Cultural Events?
Print out and complete the Cultural Event petition form from Winthrop Cultural Events website.
The petition must be accompanied:
with a 1-page paper describing the event attended
ticket stubs, brochures, pictures, etc.
turn in petition to Catina Vinson, Cultural Events Coordinator in 126 Tillman Hall

13. Once all Cultural Events are completed...

14. Missing requirements must be completed by
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Students will not be able to participate in the commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 16, 2017.

15. Cleared for Graduation
You will be able to see that you have been cleared for graduation on Degree Works.

16. Graduating with LATIN HONORS
Graduating with LATIN HONORS? Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude
Any undergraduate student who completes degree requirements with a final grade-point average:
3.50 to 3.74 shall be granted a diploma
Cum Laude
3.75 to 3.89 shall be granted a diploma
Magna Cum Laude
3.90 or higher shall be granted a diploma
Summa

17. All Coursework completed during undergraduate career counts
towards Latin honors
A student who has completed coursework at another institution to receive Latin honors MUST:
have BOTH of the following:
required grade-point average for all work taken at Winthrop
required grade-point average on the combination of: Winthrop work PLUS all work taken at other institutions (whether those courses were transferred in or not).
Note: Coursework taken at other institutions cannot raise a graduate to a higher level of Academic Honors.
Students who transfer to Winthrop must have the required GPA on all course work taken, including courses taken at other institutions, to qualify for graduation with honors.

18. To find your GPA for Latin Honors
CHECK LIFEGPA in Wingspan

19. with a final grade point average of 3.75
Students that have completed work at other institutions but do not qualify for LATIN HONORS may qualify for Honors Recognition
Undergraduate transfer students that complete their degree requirements
with a final grade point average of 3.75
earned a minimum of 48 quality hours (earned hours on a regular letter grade basis) at Winthrop University
will receive
Honors Recognition.

20. Distinguished as Honors recipient in the commencement Program
On the Commencement Program an asterisks is placed if you are eligible to receive Latin Honors. This information is submitted a month prior to graduation in order to print the programs.
It is based off your prior semester GPA.
If you complete your final semester and do not qualify for Latin Honors- you will not receive a Latin Honors.

21. IMPORTANT ITEMS TO REMEMBER TO DO DURING YOUR LAST SEMESTER
REVIEW COMMENCEMENT WEBPAGE
ATTEND GRAD FINALE
December 2017 Degree Applicants
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
10:00am-5:00 pm
Bookstore in DIGS
COMPLETE SENIOR SURVEY

22. Pick Up Cap & Gown
For those that have ordered online – will be able to pick-up your cap & gown at GRAD FINALE.
If you have not ordered your cap & gown yet, you will be able to fill out an order form at Grad-Finale.
If you have any questions please contact Brittany Neely at

23. What is Commencement? A beginning or start
A ceremony in which degrees or diplomas are conferred on graduating students

24. December 2017 Commencement Ceremony
One ceremony for both
Graduate & Undergraduate
Saturday, December 16 at 11am
Both August and December graduates are invited to attend the ceremony.

25. PARKING
Degree candidates should park in the north parking lot of the coliseum (1162 Eden Terrace).
Campus Police officers will direct you to the nearest available space.
Please enter the coliseum ONLY through the north tunnel.

26. CHECK IN
Degree candidates should report to the check-in area located just inside the north entrance of the coliseum, in academic cap and gown between 9:15 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Check in with the table for your College:
Receive your reader card. Note your line up number. Do not lose or alter your reader card.
If you graduate with Latin Honors or an Honors Program Degree, this will be noted on your card and you will receive a cord to wear.
College of Arts & Sciences
College of Education
College of Visual & Performing Arts
College of Business Administration

27. Commencement Readers If your name is difficult to pronounce,
you will be able to meet with the readers
prior to the ceremony 9:30am to 10:30am

28. Do not lose or alter your reader card.
LINE UP
After receiving a reader card, proceed to the east hallway where additional personnel will be present to assist you in locating your assigned position in line.
Do not lose or alter your reader card.
The Reader Card contains a line-up number that indicates your place in line. You must line up according to this number. There will be signs on the wall. Please find the number signs that your number falls between and find your place in line. For example, if your number is 10R, find the signs that show 1R and 11R; next, place yourself between them in line behind 9R and in front of 11R.
Line-Up Signs on the Wall for UNDERGRADUATES will be WHITE. MASTER’S Line-Up signs will be green. Important organized and orderly to facilitate the timely beginning of the ceremony.
Joseph C. Smith
SEAT: 10R

29. PROCESSION
The Procession will begin promptly 10 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Please do not be late.
The Procession will form two abreast in the following order:
Platform party
Faculty
Degree Candidates
Master’s degree
Bachelor’s degree
The procession will enter the arena down the center aisle. The degree candidates will split to the left and right outside aisles, respectively, upon reaching the stage and be directed to their seats by a Student Marshal. Please do not leave empty seats. Members of the procession and all guests will remain standing until after the National Anthem has been sung.

30. CONFERRING OF UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
In December, master’s degrees will be conferred first.
Academic deans will present the degree candidates from their respective college to the Provost.
Once all degrees are conferred, the President will then instruct graduates to move their tassels from the right front side to the left front side of the cap.
Student Marshals will then direct the movement of bachelor’s degree recipients to the stage.

31. CONFERRING OF UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

32. CONFERRING OF UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
As graduates approach the stage, they should hold their reader cards in their left hands. Graduates will give their reader cards to the reader when they reach the top of the ramp leading onto the stage.
When their name is announced, they will cross the stage, receive their diploma cover from their academic dean and shake hands with the Chair of the Board of Trustees and the President.

33. FINAL PROCESSION
After the singing of the Alma Mater, the platform party will leave first, followed by the faculty.
After those groups, the Student Marshals will lead the graduates to pick up their diplomas.

34. DIPLOMAS
Pick up your diploma based on the first letter of your last name.
Double-check that your name is spelled correctly!
You will not be able to pick up your diploma if you owe a balance to Winthrop or if we have not received your final transcripts from other schools.

35. DIPLOMAS…..if you do not attend Commencement ceremony.
you can pick up your diploma in Records and Registration the Monday following the ceremony.
Any diplomas not picked up before Holiday Break-December 22nd
will be mailed to the graduate’s permanent address after the New Year.

36. GUESTS
Each degree candidate is asked to invite no more than eight guests to the ceremony.
There are no tickets. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. 
We ask that you have your guests arrive early and be seated at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

37. SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
If a degree candidate needs special assistance to participate in the commencement ceremony, they should contact:
Tina Vires, Program Director
Office of Accessibility
Bancroft Annex Third Floor
803/
Seating will be designated for guests, including the elderly, who may need special assistance.

38. PhotographY by Lifetouch
Lifetouch professional photographers will take pictures during the Commencement Ceremony.
Two photographs will be taken, one with the president and the other a more posed shot in front of the Winthrop logo.
Lifetouch will contact graduates after graduation regarding the sale of the photos.

39. QUESTIONS?
Office of Records and Registration 126 Tillman Hall (803)