Commencement
Commencement Practice
Friday, May 10
1:45 p.m., Tate Lawn
Attendance is mandatory if you will be 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 Commencement practice.
Baccalaureate Dinner
Friday, May 10
4:30–6:30 p.m., MacDonald Dining Hall
Leading into the Baccalaureate Service, graduates, families, faculty and staff will gather to celebrate. To accommodate our guests and to eliminate longer lines at the buffet, doors will open at 4:30 p.m. The cost is: $15.25 adults, $8.50 children 6–12 years of age, and free for children 1–5 years of age.
All guests (graduates included) must purchase tickets online at lmc.edu/baccdinner. Graduates will receive a complimentary ticket for their meal. Tickets will be mailed to the address provided and must be presented at the door for entry.
Senior Class Photo
Friday, May 10
6:15–6:30 p.m., North Carolina Building steps
As part of a long-held tradition, following the Baccalaureate Dinner, seniors will gather for a class photo on the steps of the North Carolina building. Please wear baccalaureate attire (see below). The photo will be taken promptly at 6:15 p.m. Please arrive early if possible. If canceled due to inclement weather, the class photo will be taken on Saturday, May 11 in Hayes Auditorium at 8:30 a.m. A decision will be announced at Commencement practice.
A copy of the class photo will be emailed to all graduates on Monday, May 13. Keep an eye on your Lees-McRae email.
Baccalaureate Service
Friday, May 10
7 p.m., Hayes Auditorium
Graduating seniors line up for processional at 6:30 p.m. outside of MacDonald Dining Hall. Please wear your gown and hood, no cap. Professional or special occasion dress is required.
The Baccalaureate Service will be live streamed on the Lees-McRae Facebook page for those unable to attend.
Parking for the Baccalaureate Service will be available in the Hayes lot, Avery Hall lot, Cannon Student Center lot and the Chaffee Building lower and loop lots.
Commencement
Saturday, May 11
10 a.m., Tate Lawn
Commencement will be held Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. on Tate Lawn. The number of guests attending will not be limited if the ceremony is in this location. Graduates must arrive by 8:30 a.m. in Hayes Auditorium to robe and line up. Special occasion dress beneath robes is appropriate. Please refrain from wearing shorts and flip flops.
NOTE: Graduates may NOT bring their pets to commencement.
The Commencement ceremony will be live streamed on the Lees-McRae Facebook page for those unable to attend.
Inclement Weather Plan
In the case of inclement weather, commencement will be held in Williams Physical Education Center (WPEC). Guests will be limited to four (4) per graduate in order to stay in compliance with the occupancy limit for WPEC. Live streaming will be available in Hayes Auditorium and Evans Auditorium.
Should weather conditions mandate a change, a decision will be made Thursday, May 9 and posted on this webpage.
Parking and Shuttle Service
Parking and shuttles will be available at the following sites: Avery and WPEC parking lots. Signs will be posted for the shuttle service at each location. A shuttle will run from Best Western at 8 and 9 a.m.
The college has reserved parking spaces in Hayes Parking Lot (Williams Gym Lot for rain location) for guests with mobility impairments; however, the total number of parking spaces is limited. To park in one of these reserved spaces, a valid permit is required.
After the Commencement ceremony, shuttle service will leave from the front of Tate Lawn every 15 minutes. This service will be available for 45 minutes. Shuttles will return guests to the Best Western and the Avery and WPEC parking lots.
Diploma Distribution
Diplomas will be distributed in the Hayes Auditorium lobby during the 30 minutes following the Commencement ceremony.
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 “C-” in required major courses and a minimum 2.5 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.
- 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.