Graduate Information
1. A reception for all candidates will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th, 2019 at the Jonas. T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Center in the Panther Gym.
2. Please note: Candidates for graduation must satisfy ALL academic and degree program requirements in order to participate in the December Convocation.
3. Rehearsal for the Convocation will take place Thursday, December 12th, 2024 at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Center beginning at 3:00 p.m.
4. There is no baccalaureate service associated with the December Convocation.
5. The Commencement Convocation is scheduled for Friday morning, December 13, 2024. The line-up will take place at 9:30 a.m., with the Convocation beginning at 11:00 a.m. promptly.
6. Candidates for bachelors’ degrees are expected to attend all senior class meetings called by undergraduate advisors. Arrangements for your academic regalia must be made through Ms. Carolyn Snell, your senior class advisor. Females should wear white or black dresses under robes, and black pumps. Males should wear dark trousers, white shirts, dark ties, and black shoes. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum.
7. Candidates are responsible for resolving any disputes and/or allegations relative to incomplete grades, course substitutions, issues of academic dishonesty, or other transcript-related issues prior to Commencement Day.
8. Candidates in the Professional and Continuing Studies Program are expected to adhere to all additional guidelines and instructions as presented by the Office of Professional and Continuing Studies.
9. Candidates for graduate degrees are expected to adhere to all policies, procedures and instructions as presented by your appropriate graduate program. Please note that there is no separate hooding ceremony for candidates for graduate degrees at the December Convocation.
10. Candidates will receive 10 tickets. Please note, however, that the doors will open for seating at 9:00 a.m. Guests are advised to arrive and be seated no later than 10:00 a.m. Seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
11. Family and/or friends who will need overnight accommodation should be urged to make arrangements immediately because of the expected number of visitors to the greater Orangeburg area during the weekend of the December Convocation.
12. During the Convocation, you will receive a diploma cover with a letter from President Dwaun J. Warmack. The official diploma will be issued immediately following the Convocation by the Office of Enrollment Management.
13. All financial obligations, senior financial exit interview, career development documents, and the senior folder must be cleared and/or completed prior to the Commencement Day. If you have not already paid the $160 graduation fee or still need to settle other financial matters, please do so immediately.
Enrollment Management Information
• Academic honors – Summa Cum Laude is 3.90-4.00; Magna Cum laude is 3.75-3.89; Cum Laude is 3.50-3.74. Transfer or Continuing Education students who enter with an advanced standing are eligible for graduation with Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude honors under the same grade-point ratio required of regular students.
• If you would like to pick up your diploma on Friday after the ceremony, you may report to: (a) Tingley Hall, first floor. The Enrollment Management Office will be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; (b) if you want your degree mailed, please send an e-mail to sbriggman@claflin.edu with the your address; or (c) you may pick up the degree Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the office of Enrollment Management.
• Please be reminded, if you fail any major courses you will not be issued your diploma. If you have a financial obligation to the University, you will not be issued your diploma on Saturday.
• The door at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex will open at 9 a.m. Please do not hold seats on Friday morning. A host or hostess will guide you to your seating.
Graduation is an important event in the lives of our students. Please remember in a graduation ceremony, any unsolicited applause, catcall, whistle or other type of noise is inappropriate.
You may take personal pictures on the stage after the program.