Commencement

ATTENTION: Commencement Held on Tate Lawn

In an effort to accommodate as many guests as possible, the Commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 6 has been moved back to Tate Lawn. Please note there is still a possibility of inclement weather and all in attendance should prepare accordingly.

Please take time to review the information below, as details regarding the ceremony have changed. 

Friday, May 5

Senior Celebration Brunch
11:30 a.m., The Summit

Kick off the graduation festivities with a celebration brunch co-hosted by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Alumni Relations. 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., Hayes Auditorium

Attendance for students is mandatory if participating in the Commencement ceremony. 

Any graduate unable to pick up their cap and gown prior to Friday may pick them up after rehearsal in the Chaffee Center.


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 and their families is hosted by the Lees-McRae Alumni Board. 


Senior Class Photo
6:30 p.m., Tufts Tower

Please wear baccalaureate attire (see below). In the event of inclement weather, the class photo will be taken in The Summit at the stated time.


Baccalaureate Service
7 p.m., Hayes Auditorium

Graduating seniors line up for processional at 6:45 p.m. outside of Miller Commons. Graduates should wear their gowns and carry their hoods. Please do NOT wear caps for the Baccalaureate Service. 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. 

The service will be live streamed on the Lees-McRae College YouTube Channel. Watch the live stream

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. 

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    Information for Faculty and Staff (Friday, May 5)

    Commencement Rehearsal
    Deans and those part of the platform party are asked to be in attendance at the Commencement Rehearsal in Hayes Auditorium on Friday, May 5 and arrive at 2 p.m.

    Baccalaureate Service and Reception
    Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m.
    Hayes Auditorium
    Reception to follow in King-Shivell Lounge

    The Baccalaureate Service is a long-standing tradition at Lees-McRae, and an important step in preparing students for Commencement. At this event, faculty and staff speakers have the opportunity to offer congratulations to the graduates as they complete the symbolic hooding ceremony.

    Faculty and staff should arrive by 6:45 p.m. in Miller Commons for line-up of the processional. Please wear gown and hood, but no caps.

    Following the Baccalaureate Service, faculty and staff are asked to join the graduates and their families in King-Shivell Lounge for a reception.

Saturday, May 6

Commencement
11 a.m., Tate Lawn

Graduates must arrive by 9:30 a.m. at Hayes Auditorium to robe and line up. 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. 

The ceremony will be live streamed on the Lees-McRae College YouTube Channel.  Watch the live stream

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. 


Parking and Directions

Parking for graduates and their guests on Saturday, May 6 will be available at the following locations on campus: 

  • Avery Hall Lot
  • Cannon Student Center Lot
  • Historic Banner Elk Elementary School Lots
  • Eagles Nest Remote Lot

Parking for guests with mobility impairments is reserved in the Hayes Lot. Due to limited spaces, a valid handicap parking placard is required to park in this lot.

There will be NO overnight parking in the reserved lots. Lots will close at 10 p.m. on Friday, May 5, and will reopen for Commencement at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 6.

For the safety of all in attendance, no parking is allowed on city streets or in undesignated spots.


Shuttles

Prior to Commencement, shuttles will run from the Eagles Nest Remote Lot, the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School Lots, and the Best Western approximately every 15 minutes from 8–10:30 a.m. Signs for the shuttle service will be posted at each location.

Following Commencement, shuttles will run approximately every 15 minutes to return guests and students to the Eagles Nest Remote Lot, the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School Lots, and the Best Western. Return shuttle services will operate for 45 minutes following the ceremony.

 

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    Information for Faculty and Staff (Saturday, May 6)

    Commencement
    Saturday, May 6 at 11 a.m.
    Tate Lawn

    Commencement Line-Up
    Faculty and platform party members should arrive by 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 6 in Miller Commons. Light refreshments will be provided in Miller Commons and restrooms and the robing area will be available in The Summit. 

    • Platform party photos will begin promptly at 10:15 a.m. in Miller Commons.
    • Final line up for the Commencement processional will be at 10:45 a.m. in Miller Commons. 

    Commencement Parking
    Parking for faculty and staff has been designated for the following areas:

    • Faculty: Chaffee Loop, Theatre Arts Building Lot, Hemlock Hall Lot
    • Staff: New Presbyterian Church Lot

    Volunteers from the Alumni Board and Order of the Tower may park in the May School Lot. The Business Affairs Lot is reserved for emergency personnel, and handicap parking for all guests will be available in the Hayes Lot. Due to limited spot availablity, a valid handicap parking placard is required to park in the Hayes Lot.

    View the event parking map

    NOTE: There will be NO overnight parking in the reserved lots. Lots will close at 10 p.m. on Friday, May 5, and will reopen for Commencement at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 6. For the safety of all in attendance there is no parking allowed on city streets or in undesignated spots.

    Volunteers Needed
    Faculty and staff volunteers are needed to help with chair breakdown following Commencement. Breakdown will occur on Saturday, May 6 at 2 p.m.

Caps and Gowns 

The cost of a cap and gown is included in the graduation fee, which has been applied to each student account.

Graduates are now able to pick up their cap and gown orders. Orders will be available for pick-up in the Office of the Registrar located in the Chaffee Center following Commencement rehearsal.

With questions, contact Registrar Lynn Hinshaw.

Graduation Survey

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. 

Graduation Survey

Alumni Association

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.

Requirements for Graduation

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.

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