General Information
2021 Commencement Ceremony
The Master’s Hooding and Graduation ceremony will take place on Friday, May 7, 5:30 pm. The undergraduate graduation ceremony for Associate, Bachelors will take place on Saturday, May 8 at 10 a.m. on the Memorial Hall Lawn with no limit on the number of guests permitted to attend.
*Important Update: The Rain Plan will NOT be in effect for the ceremonies on 5/7 & 5/8
Rain Plan
In case of inclement weather, Cumberland's Commencement Ceremonies will take place indoors in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena on campus. A decision will be made by noon on Thursday, May 6th regarding the location of all ceremonies and will be announced via email, on the CU app and on the university website.
Master's Hooding and Ceremony
In case of inclement weather, the Master's Hooding and Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 7 at 5:30p.m. in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. All master's graduates will be provided four guest tickets, which will be available at cap and gown pickup the week of the ceremony.
Undergraduate Ceremonies
In case of inclement weather, the undergraduate ceremony will be split by school on Saturday, May 8. At 10:00 a.m. the ceremony for graduates of the Labry School of Science, Business and Technology AND the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions will take place in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. At 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 8 the ceremony for the graduates of the School of Humanities, Education and the Arts will take place in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.
Each undergraduate student will be provided two guest tickets, which will be available at cap and gown pickup the week of the ceremony.
- Graduates will receive their guest tickets at cap and gown pickup the week of the ceremony
- No one will be allowed to enter the arena without a ticket
- Masks will be required for all graduates and attendees
- Any guest without a ticket can watch the ceremony live via the Cumberland website and social media.
Graduates must arrive at the arena dressed in their regalia. All graduates should check their email regularly throughout the spring semester and check the university webpage for further information concerning the rain plan.
Preparing for Commencement
Please watch your email for additional information.
Cap and gowns will be available for pick-up the week of Monday May 3 - Friday, May 7 10:00 - 2:00 PM at the Catron Alumni House. Regalia will be available on the morning of Saturday, May 8, 8:00 - 9:00 AM as well.
Jostens Cap/Gown Order - Submit measurements (height and approximate weight) to Stephanie Davis sdavis@cumberland.edu if you did not order on the Josten's website.
Financial Services - The United States Department of Education requires a financial aid exit counseling for any student who has taken out Federal Direct Student Loans while attending school. This is to ensure that you understand your loan responsibilities and to assist you in planning to meet them. If you had any Federal Direct Student Loans while attending Cumberland, please watch your student email account for information on completing your loan exit within the next few weeks. If you should have any questions upon receiving our email please contact our office at finanicialaid@cumberland.edu.
Career Services and Alumni Survey -We take great pride in the accomplishments of our students and alumni, and we want to keep up with you long after you graduate from CU. Please take this survey to share with us your post-graduation plans and share your contact information so we can stay connected with you! Take the survey here.
Additional Information
Parking
General parking will be available in all campus lots except for the reserved spaces at Memorial Hall, which will be reserved for VIP guests and disability parking.
Additional parking with shuttle service will be available at Alumni Hall, Immanuel Baptist Church, St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church.
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.
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 Shop.
Watch Online
The ceremony will be live streamed on Cumberland University's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/cumberlandu.
Student Information
It is expected that during the Spring 2021 semester all pending graduates will regularly check their Cumberland email for important commencement information.
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. Information on cap and gown pickup will be available soon. Students may begin picking up their cap and gown beginning May 3 - 7. 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.
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.
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 contact the business office to pay your account. If your balance is not paid in full, your diploma will be held and no transcripts will be released.
GEC Exit Exam:
Associate and Bachelor degree recipients must take the GEC Exit Exam, here.
Photos
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!
