Commencement
Commencement exercises for the Class of 2023 will be held Saturday, May 6 at 11 a.m. on Tate Lawn.
Commencement is an important milestone in the lives of our graduating students who have put in countless hours of hard work to earn their bachelor’s or master's degree. The celebratory ceremony for both main campus and online/distance learning students is scheduled to take place on beautiful Tate Lawn, with the rain location being Williams Gymnasium.
Graduates must RSVP for the Commencement and Baccalaureate ceremonies by Friday, April 28.
Friday, May 5
Senior Celebration Brunch
11:30 a.m., The Summit
Kick off the graduation festivities with a celebration brunch with President King and Provost Gill. The brunch is for all main campus and online/distance learning graduates.
The brunch is only for graduates and the dress is Business Casual.
Commencement Rehearsal
1:30 p.m., Tate Lawn
Attendance for students is mandatory if participating in the Commencement ceremony.
If you are a December graduate or an online/distance learning student, you can pick up your cap and gown at The Exchange Bookstore between 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on Friday, May 5.
Alpha Chi Inductions
4:30 p.m., Evans Auditorium
Membership invitations will be extended to students who are in the top 10 percent of the junior and senior class.
Reception for Online and Distance Learning Graduates
5:30 p.m., Needham Alumni House
This gathering for graduates of the online and distance learning programs is hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations.
Senior Class Photo
6:30 p.m., Location to be determined
Please wear baccalaureate attire (see below). In the event of inclement weather, the class photo will be taken in The Summit at 6:30 p.m.
Baccalaureate Service
7 p.m., Hayes Auditorium
Graduating seniors line up for processional at 6:45 p.m. outside of Miller Commons. Please wear your gown and hood, but do NOT wear your cap. In the event of inclement weather, lineup for graduates will take place in The Summit.
A reception following the Baccalaureate Service will be held in King-Shivell Lounge from 8–9 p.m. for graduates and their familites, faculty, and staff.
Professional or special occasion dress beneath robes is required.
Please note that pets, ESA, and therapy animals are not permitted at the Baccalaureate Service. Only graduates with approved service dogs are allowed.
Saturday, May 6
Commencement
11 a.m., Tate Lawn
Graduates must arrive by 9:30 a.m. in Hayes Auditorium to robe and line up. Upon checking in, graduates may enjoy breakfast compliments of the Alumni Association. Diplomas will be distributed during the 30 minutes following the ceremony in Hayes Auditorium.
Graduates will not be limited to the number of guests in attendance unless the ceremony is relocated to Williams Gymnasium due to inclement weather. Review the inclement weather plan below.
Professional or special occasion dress beneath robes is required.
Please note that pets, ESA, and therapy animals are not permitted at Commencement. Only graduates with approved service dogs are allowed.
Inclement Weather Plan
In the case of inclement weather, Commencement will be held in Williams Gymnasium. Guests will be limited to three (3) per graduate in order to stay in compliance with the occupancy limit for the gymnasium. Overflow viewing via livestream will be available in Evans Auditorium within the Cannon Student Center.
Should weather conditions mandate a change, a decision will be made by Wednesday, May 3 and emailed and posted on this page.
It's time to place orders for commencement regalia! The deadline to submit orders for caps and gowns is Monday, March 20.
The cost of a cap and gown is included in the graduation fee, which has been applied to each student account. Cap and gown orders will be available for pickup at The Exchange Bookstore beginning Wednesday, April 12. Online/distance learning students may pick up their cap and gown at graduation practice on Friday, May 5.
With questions, contact The Exchange Bookstore at burkel@lmc.edu or 828.898.8728.
The Office of Career and Life Planning is seeking participation from all graduates in the following survey regarding their current or upcoming employment and education successes. This information aids in the gathering of pertinent information regarding alumni outcomes, further benefiting future Lees-McRae students.
The connections you make at Lees-McRae last a lifetime. The Office of Alumni Relations will help you maintain those relationships. Get connected by following the Lees-McRae Alumni Association on Facebook or checking out the alumni webpage where you'll find exciting networking opportunities, learn about upcoming reunions, and stay in the know with college news and events.
The following must be met for graduation eligibility:
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- A minimum 2.0 GPA
- Completion of the Core Curriculum
- Completion of 15 hours of Writing Intensive (WI) courses
- Completion of the degree requirements for the appropriate degree
- Completion of an approved major program of study
- A minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in the major program of study (Note: Nursing majors must receive a minimum grade of “B-” in required major courses and a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA. Education majors must receive a minimum grade of “C” in required major courses and a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA)
- Completion at Lees-McRae College of at least one half of the credit hours required for the major program of study. In extreme cases of student schedule conflict, the Provost (in consultation with the appropriate Dean) may amend this policy on a case-by-case basis.
- Completion at Lees-McRae College of at least 32 of the last 40 credit hours. In extreme cases of student schedule conflict, the Provost (in consultation with the appropriate Dean) may amend this policy on a case-by-case basis.
- Completion of at least one-fourth of the credit hours toward the degree must originate from Lees-McRae College.
- No grades of “F” in any required major courses in the program of study
- No more than 12 credit hours of coursework in which a grade of “D” or lower has been received may apply toward graduation
- No more than four credit hours of lifetime health and fitness activity courses may count toward graduation
- If applicable: completion at Lees-McRae College of at least one half of the credit hours required for the minor program of study.
Students may choose to meet the graduation requirements listed in the College Catalog that was in effect the year he or she entered Lees-McRae College or in any subsequent College Catalog. However, a student may not select graduation requirements from more than one catalog at a time. If the student has been out of residence for more than one academic year, the graduation requirements in effect at the time of re-enrollment at Lees-McRae College will apply. Each student’s graduation timeline will vary depending on academic program(s) and academic progress, and may take less or more than four years. Students should work with their academic advisor to create a clear timeline.
Graduation and the receipt of a diploma from Lees-McRae College is an honor bestowed by the Faculty, Administration and Board of Trustees. The awarding of a Baccalaureate degree is duly noted on the student’s official College Transcript.
With questions, please contact Registrar Lynn Hinshaw at hinshaw@lmc.edu or 828.898.3473.