Commencement

Commencement exercises for the classes of 2020 and 2021 will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 8 in the MacRae Meadows at Grandfather Mountain.

This special outdoor ceremony will help keep graduates and their guests safe, and give us all an opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the place we call home—In the Mountains, Of the Mountains, and For the Mountains. By gathering on Grandfather Mountain, we will reaffirm our shared commitments to the legacy and heritage of the college.

Wristbands and parking passes are required for entrance. They will be available for pick up in the Office of the Registrar on April 19 and 20. For graduates unable to pick them up, wristbands and parking passes will be mailed to the address submitted on the graduation application.

Ceremony

Following a processional and remarks from special guests, the college will honor graduates from the Class of 2020 before conferring degrees to the Class of 2021. All honorees in attendance, regardless of graduation year, will be individually recognized as they cross the stage for a photo opportunity with President King.

Lineup
Graduates are asked to arrive by 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 8. There will not be a commencement practice. Graduates will receive instructions on Saturday morning upon arrival.

Dress
Graduates should wear special occasion dress with their cap and gown. The MacRae Meadows has uneven terrain so be mindful of footwear selection.

Guests
Graduates who responded by the RSVP deadline will be allowed four (4) guests. All guests must wear a wristband for entrance. Additionally, no pets will be allowed at Commencement.

Parking and Directions
The MacRae Meadows are located at 2050 Blowing Rock Hwy. in Linville, North Carolina. Drop-off and parking will open at 9 a.m. Each graduate will be provided one (1) parking pass for their party. Due to very limited availability, vehicles that have been parked must remain in place until the ceremony has concluded.

Those who have requested accommodations for mobility will park in an accessible parking area near the ceremony site.

Inclement Weather
Weather in the High Country and on Grandfather Mountain can be unpredictable. Be prepared for changing conditions. The ceremony will proceed in rain or shine.

Safety Measures
Graduates will be seated socially distanced from one another. Guests will sit in pods with their party and distanced from other groups. Masks are required of all attendees.

The college will continue to work with local officials and monitor state guidelines. All event decisions are made for the health and safety of the graduates and their families, as well as the faculty and event staff. Participants will receive amended event information and protocols if new gathering guidelines go into effect.

With questions, please contact Registrar Lynn Hinshaw at hinshaw@lmc.edu or 828.898.3473.

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.