General Information
2020 Commencement Ceremonies
Due to the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, Cumberland will closely monitor public health guidelines in the coming weeks and an official decision regarding the Commencement ceremony, originally planned for Saturday, May 2nd, will be made in April.
The original plan for the Master’s Hooding and Graduation Ceremony is Friday, May 1 at 5:00 PM on the front lawn of Memorial Hall. RSVP prior to April 24, 2020
The original plan for the Undergraduate Graduation Ceremony is Saturday, May 2 at 10:00 AM in front lawn of Memorial Hall.
In the event that the Commencement ceremony is postponed, the new tentative date is Saturday, June 20 at 10:00amfor all degrees - Associate, Bachelor’s and Masters. If the Commencement ceremony is moved to June 20, 2020, the nursing pinning ceremony will be held the evening of Friday, June 19.
Graduation Week Events:
Cap and Gown Pick-up
Monday, April 27 – Friday, May 1 at the Catron Alumni House from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Thursday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church
Graduate Luncheon
Friday, May 1 at 11:30 a.m. in the Phillips Dining Hall. Free to all graduates.
Graduation Rehearsal for Undergraduates - Mandatory
Friday, May 1 at 1:00 p.m. in Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena, the session will last about one hour.
Masters Hooding & Graduation Ceremony - Friday May 1 at 5:00 p.m.
Graduate Line-Up 4:00 pm Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony - Saturday, May 2 at 10:00 a.m. Guests may be seated at 9:00 a.m.
Graduate Line-Up: 9:00 AM Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena
Rain Plan
In case of inclement weather, decisions will be announced via email, on the CU App, and on the university website.
A decision will be made by noon on Friday, May 1st regarding the location of both ceremonies. If the rain plan is in effect, ceremonies will take place at the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena on campus.
To ensure a smooth transition indoors, each undergraduate degree candidates will be provided five (5) tickets, for family and friends to enter the ceremony, all degree candidates will receive their tickets when they pick up their cap and gown at the Catron Alumni House the week of the ceremony.
ALL UNDERGRADUATE CANDIDATES MUST ARRIVE AT THE DALLAS FLOYD PHOENIX ARENA DRESSED IN THEIR REGALIA, ALL GUESTS MUST HAVE a complimentary "rain plan" ticket for entry. No one will be allowed to enter the Phoenix Arena without a ticket. Those guests who do not have tickets may go to Baird Chapel in Memorial Hall, or to the Heydel Fine Arts Center, where the event will be broadcast live. Tickets will NOT be required for admission into these venues; however, seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please check the website regularly for further information concerning the rain plan.
Additional Information
Parking
General parking will be available in all campus lots except lot #4 on the map, which will be reserved for VIP guests and disability parking. It is expected that all campus lots will reach capacity early in the day. Commencement guests are encouraged to take advantage of 2 overflow parking lots located at Immanuel Baptist Church (214 Castle Heights Ave.) or The Journey Church (Leeville Pike). Shuttle service will be available at all locations before and following the ceremony. Parking is NOT available at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church (300 S. Tarver Ave.) due to church services. The campus has 31 disabled parking spaces. Spaces are located near building entrances. Only those with state-issued plates or placards may use disabled spaces. For directions to Cumberland University and a parking map - click here.
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. To purchase a diploma frame, visit the CU Pride Shop.
Graduates and Guests with Disabilities Undergraduate Ceremony
If a person in your party requires any special services, please complete the Special Services Request Form, no later than 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.
DVDs Available for Purchase
Professionally produced DVDs of the Commencement ceremony will be available for order on Friday, May 3 at rehearsal and Saturday before and after the ceremony. Cost is $30 which includes shipping and handling.
Watch Online
If you cannot be on campus for the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 2, you can watch the ceremony live here.
Student Information
It is expected that during the Spring 2020 semester all pending graduates will regularly check their Cumberland email for important commencement information.
Cap and Gown Information:
All graduates MUST submit measurements to have a cap and custom-made gown ordered, measurements must be submitted prior to March 1, 2020, online at www.jostens.com.
Steps to order your cap and gown:
- Go to the link above and click "Get Started"
- Choose your level of degree (Bachelors or Masters) and select "Design It"
- Bachelor students - enter your height and weight, Master students - enter your height, weight and major/curriculum. Then click "Complete"
- Make sure your information is correct and click "Add to Cart"
- Enter your name in the boxes provided and click "Check Out Now"
- Enter your email address and click "Review Order"
- Ensure all information is correct, your cost will be $0
- Click "Submit My Order" and save the email confirmation for your records
Participants are required to wear their cap and gown during the commencement ceremony. These are paid for by the university as a part of the graduation fee. Students may begin picking up their cap and gown beginning Monday, April 27 - Friday, May 1, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm in the Catron Alumni House. 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.
Undergradate Ceremony Rehearsal Information:
Graduation rehearsal is mandatory for all graduating students and is scheduled for Friday, May 1 at 1:00 pm, in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. This session will last about 90 minutes. At rehearsal, you will 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.
GEC Exit Exam:
Associate and Bachelor degree recipients must take the GEC Exit Exam, here.
Finalizing Your Cumberland Account:
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, 2020.
An updated billing statement will be mailed to your billing address in mid-March 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 15, 2020. If your balance is not paid in full, your diploma will be held and no transcripts will be released.
Photos
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 the President 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!
Rain Plan
In case of inclement weather, decisions will be announced via email, on the CU App, and on the university website, a decision will be announced by Friday, May 1st. If the rain plan is in effect all ceremonies will be held in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena on campus.
To ensure a smooth transition indoors, each undergraduate student participating in the ceremony will be provided with five (5) tickets, for family and friends to enter the ceremony, all undergraduate degree candidates will receive their tickets when they pick up their cap and gown at the Catron Alumni House the week of the ceremony.
ALL GRADUATES MUST ARRIVE AT THE DALLAS FLOYD PHOENIX ARENA DRESSED IN THEIR REGALIA, ALL GUESTS MUST HAVE a complementary "rain plan" ticket for entry. No one will be allowed to enter the Phoenix Arena without a ticket. Those guests who do not have tickets may go to Baird Chapel in Memorial Hall, or to the Heydel Fine Arts Center, where the event will be broadcast live. Tickets will NOT be required for admission into these venues; however, seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check the website regularly for further information concerning the rain plan.
Additional Information
Parking
General parking will be available in all campus lots except lot #4 on the map, which will be reserved for VIP guests and disability parking. It is expected that all campus lots will reach capacity early in the day. Commencement guests are encouraged to take advantage of 2 overflow parking lots located at Immanuel Baptist Church (214 Castle Heights Ave.) or The Journey Church (Leeville Pike). Shuttle service will be available at all locations before and following the ceremony. The campus has 31 disabled parking spaces. Spaces are located near building entrances. Only those with state-issued plates or placards may use disabled spaces. For directions to Cumberland University and a parking map - click here.
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. To purchase a diploma frame, visit the CU Pride Shop.
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 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.
DVDs Available for Purchase
Professionally produced DVDs of the Commencement ceremony will be available for order on Friday, May 1 at rehearsal and Saturday before and after the ceremony. Cost is $30 which includes shipping and handling.
Watch Online
If you cannot be on campus for the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 2nd you can watch the ceremony live here.
Student Information
It is expected that during the Spring 2020 semester all pending graduates will regularly check their Cumberland email for important commencement information.
Cap and Gown Information:
All graduates MUST submit measurements to have a cap and custom-made gown ordered, measurements must be submitted prior to March 1, 2020, online at www.jostens.com.
Steps to order your cap and gown:
- Go to the link above and click "Get Started"
- Choose your level of degree (Bachelors or Masters) and select "Design It"
- Bachelor students - enter your height and weight, Master students - enter your height, weight and major/curriculum. Then click "Complete"
- Make sure your information is correct and click "Add to Cart"
- Enter your name in the boxes provided and click "Check Out Now"
- Enter your email address and click "Review Order"
- Ensure all information is correct, your cost will be $0
- Click "Submit My Order" and save the email confirmation for your records
Participants are required to wear their cap and gown during the commencement ceremony. These are paid for by the university as a part of the graduation fee. Students may begin picking up their cap and gown beginning Monday, April 27 - Friday, May 1, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm in the Catron Alumni House. 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.
Undergradate Ceremony Rehearsal Information:
Graduation rehearsal is mandatory for all graduating students and is scheduled for Friday, May 1 at 1:00 pm, in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. This session will last about 90 minutes. At rehearsal, you will 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.
GEC Exit Exam:
Associate and Bachelor degree recipients must take the GEC Exit Exam, here.
Finalizing Your Cumberland Account:
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, 2020.
An updated billing statement will be mailed to your billing address in mid-March 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 15, 2020. If your balance is not paid in full, your diploma will be held and no transcripts will be released.
Photos
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 the President 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!
