Commencement Information
Commencement Ceremony - Saturday, May 5, 10:00 am
Cumberland University will hold its 170th Commencement on Saturday, May 5, on the front lawn of Memorial Hall. Reserved seating will be for the graduates, faculty and guests with special needs. All other seating is general and open to the public on a first come, first served basis. All undergraduate students must participate in the graduation ceremony. Click here for details on the rain plan.
Cumberland University will hold its 170th Commencement on Saturday, May 5, on the front lawn of Memorial Hall. Reserved seating will be for the graduates, faculty and guests with special needs. All other seating is general and open to the public on a first come, first served basis. All undergraduate students must participate in the graduation ceremony. Click here for details on the rain plan.
Commencement Luncheon and Rehearsal - Friday, May 4
All graduates are invited to lunch on Friday, May 4 at 11:30 am in Phillips Dining Hall. Graduation rehearsal is scheduled for 1:00 pm, in the Dallas Floyd Gymnasium. This session will last about 90 minutes. At rehearsal, you confirm that your name is pronounced correctly, locate where your seat is for the line up and gather an understanding of the flow of the ceremony.
Diplomas
During the ceremony each graduate will be presented a diploma cover. Graduates will receive diplomas by mail. Diplomas will be mailed approximately six weeks after graduation.
During the ceremony each graduate will be presented a diploma cover. Graduates will receive diplomas by mail. Diplomas will be mailed approximately six weeks after graduation.
Parking
All lots are open for general parking for the commencement ceremony, except for the lot behind Memorial Hall (Lot #35 on campus map). This lot will be reserved for University officials and special needs parking, and entrance to this lot will require a parking pass. If you have a guest with Special Needs, please complete the Special Services Request Form. Additional parking is available at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic church on South Tarver. Campus staff will be available the day of commencement to assist with parking needs. Click here to see a campus map.
All lots are open for general parking for the commencement ceremony, except for the lot behind Memorial Hall (Lot #35 on campus map). This lot will be reserved for University officials and special needs parking, and entrance to this lot will require a parking pass. If you have a guest with Special Needs, please complete the Special Services Request Form. Additional parking is available at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic church on South Tarver. Campus staff will be available the day of commencement to assist with parking needs. Click here to see a campus map.
Caps, Gowns and Hoods
Participants are required to wear academic regalia at Commencement. It is customary to wear the gown over casual business attire. Academic regalia is ordered by the university as a part of the graduation fee. Submit your measurements on line at www.jostens.com. If you have any questions, please contact the University Bookstore at 615.547.1236. Candidates for graduation may begin picking up their academic attire beginning Monday, April 30 in the University Bookstore. Please pick up your academic regalia early to allow time for pressing or steaming to remove wrinkles. Undergraduate candidates should wear the tassel on the cap over the right temple. Masters and doctoral candidates should wear the tassel over the left temple.
Participants are required to wear academic regalia at Commencement. It is customary to wear the gown over casual business attire. Academic regalia is ordered by the university as a part of the graduation fee. Submit your measurements on line at www.jostens.com. If you have any questions, please contact the University Bookstore at 615.547.1236. Candidates for graduation may begin picking up their academic attire beginning Monday, April 30 in the University Bookstore. Please pick up your academic regalia early to allow time for pressing or steaming to remove wrinkles. Undergraduate candidates should wear the tassel on the cap over the right temple. Masters and doctoral candidates should wear the tassel over the left temple.
Photography
Photography is permitted by families and guests; however, individuals should only take photographs from the designated photography areas or guests seats, please keep all aisles clear.
Photography is permitted by families and guests; however, individuals should only take photographs from the designated photography areas or guests seats, please keep all aisles clear.
The University will have a professional photographer from GradImages™ to take pictures during the ceremony of each graduate as they receive their diploma from President Eaton and another photo with their diploma individually. A set of color proofs will be mailed to each graduate at their home address the following week. Registering with GradImages™ ; provides them with the information that they need to deliver your graduation proofs to you in a timely manner. Giving them an accurate mailing address and email address will allow them to get your proofs to you on the first try. You may also provide them with email addresses of up to six friends and family members to allow them to celebrate in the accomplishment. So register now! www.gradimages.com.
Rain Plan
A decision will be made by 12:00 noon on Friday, May 6 if the Cumberland University’s 169th Commencement Ceremony will be conducted in the Dallas Floyd Gymnasium. Click here for details concerning the rain plan.
Graduates and Guests with Disabilities
If a person in your party requires any special services, please complete the Special Services Request Form, no later than Friday, April 15. Anyone whose guests require special seating or disability parking must complete the request form, requests made after April 15 may not be able to be accommodated. Tickets will be issued to admit the guest and one additional person accompanying that individual for special reserved seating and/or parking.
A decision will be made by 12:00 noon on Friday, May 6 if the Cumberland University’s 169th Commencement Ceremony will be conducted in the Dallas Floyd Gymnasium. Click here for details concerning the rain plan.
Graduates and Guests with Disabilities
If a person in your party requires any special services, please complete the Special Services Request Form, no later than Friday, April 15. Anyone whose guests require special seating or disability parking must complete the request form, requests made after April 15 may not be able to be accommodated. Tickets will be issued to admit the guest and one additional person accompanying that individual for special reserved seating and/or parking.
Request for Absence
All undergraduates are required to attend the Commencement ceremony. Attendance exceptions will be made by the Dean of the appropriate school or the Dean’s Council only in cases of extreme extenuating circumstances. If you anticipate such a situation, which will prevent you from attending, you must file a Waiver of Attendance Request form by April 15th for permission to graduate in absentia. Graduate students are not required but are encouraged to attend the Commencement Ceremony. Any students planning to not attend must complete the Waiver of Attendance Request form prior to April 15.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located in Phillips Dining Hall and Dallas Floyd Recreation Center adjacent to the graduation ceremony.
All undergraduates are required to attend the Commencement ceremony. Attendance exceptions will be made by the Dean of the appropriate school or the Dean’s Council only in cases of extreme extenuating circumstances. If you anticipate such a situation, which will prevent you from attending, you must file a Waiver of Attendance Request form by April 15th for permission to graduate in absentia. Graduate students are not required but are encouraged to attend the Commencement Ceremony. Any students planning to not attend must complete the Waiver of Attendance Request form prior to April 15.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located in Phillips Dining Hall and Dallas Floyd Recreation Center adjacent to the graduation ceremony.
Finalizing Cumberland Accounts Important Information from the Business Student Financial Services Offices
- If you have any pending financial aid i.e.; loans, scholarships, etc. these need to be received by Cumberland before your account is considered paid in full. It is your responsibility to make sure all financial aid has been received by the University. All financial aid should be received by April 1, 2012.
- An updated billing statement will be mailed to your billing address on March 15, 2012, if your account has a balance due. Please review your billing statement to verify that you have received all your financial aid and you do not have an outstanding balance.
- If you owe a balance, please come by the business office to pay your account by April 20, 2012. If your balance is not paid in full, your diploma will be held and no transcripts will be released.
- If you are currently on the FACTS payment plan, please check to see when you final payment is being deducted. Your final payment must be received in April for you to receive your diploma in May. Please contact the business office if you need to make the payment directly or change your payment date.
- Federal regulations require that ALL students who have received a Federal Perkins loan while attending Cumberland University complete a loan exit interview. You will be contacted by the Business Office to arrange a time for your exit interview. Students who do not complete the loan exit process will not receive their diploma until the proper exit interview is complete.
- Federal regulations require that ALL students who have received a Federal Stafford loan while attending Cumberland University complete a loan exit interview. Please contact the Student Financial Services Office at 615-547-1298 or 615-547-1243 to schedule your exit time. Exit interviews must now be completed online at one of the exit times listed below. You must make an appointment to attend one of these times. Students who do not complete the loan exit process will not receive their diploma until their online exit is completed at an exit session. Students who do not complete the loan exit process will not receive their diploma until their online exit is completed at an exit session.