Commencement
Commencement Update
LOCATION CHANGE: Due to the weather forecast, the location for the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11 has been changed to Williams Gymnasium at the Athletic Complex.
Please remember that each graduate is limited to four guests. Graduates will receive wristbands for guests during rehearsal on Friday. Locations on campus will be streaming a live feed of the ceremony for additional guests.
Senior Crossover: Celebrating the Class of 2019
Crossover is a collaboration between alumni relations, career services, and student development to celebrate your "crossover" from a student to an alumnus. Join us for these fun events as we gear up for commencement!
Graduation Celebration Dinner
Wednesday, May 8
Bodegas, 6–8 p.m.
All graduating seniors are invited to celebrate graduation at Bodegas! Career Services is hosting this event as a final opportunity for seniors, faculty, and staff to get together, celebrate accomplishments, and discuss your next steps.
We would love to see you there! Free food will be provided. RSVP here >>
Tubing on the New River
Thursday, May 9
High Mountain Expeditions (Boone), 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Need to de-stress after a hectic end of the semester? Bring your family and friends for a relaxing afternoon tubing down the scenic New River. Lunch and transportation to Boone will be provided. Be sure to dress warmly, as the mountain river temperature is still cool. Bring a change of clothes, shoes you don’t mind getting wet, your bathing suit, sunscreen, and a towel.
Meet at the Alumni House at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 9. The shuttle will leave promptly at 10:30 a.m. Please fill out the liability waiver.
The trip is limited to 40 people, and spots are available on a first come, first served basis. Register here >>
Senior Celebration Brunch
Friday, May 10
Alumni House, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
You’re invited to attend a special senior celebration brunch! Drop in at the Alumni House to grab a bite to eat before commencement rehearsal and to pick up your graduation gift from the Alumni Association. Bring your family and meet our Alumni Association board members and advancement staff!
Commencement Rehearsal
Friday, May 10
1:45 p.m., Williams Gymnasium
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 prior to rehearsal or by 5 p.m. at the Exchange Bookstore.
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 the indoor tennis courts at Williams Gymnasium at 8:30 a.m. A decision will be announced at Commencement rehearsal.
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.
Saturday, May 11
10 a.m., Williams Gymnasium
Commencement will be held Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. in Williams Gymnasium. Guests will be limited to four per graduate in order to stay in compliance with the occupancy limit for Williams Gymnasium. Live streaming of the ceremony will be available in various locations on campus for additional guests (see details below). Graduates must arrive by 8:30 a.m. in the indoor tennis courts to robe and line up. Professional or special occasion dress beneath robes is required. Please refrain from wearing shorts and flip flops.
NOTE: Graduates may NOT bring their pets to Commencement.
Parking and Shuttle Service
Parking will be available at the following locations: Athletic Complex, Historic Banner Elk School lot (adjacent to the fire department), and Avery Hall lot. See attached campus map for available parking. Parking and shuttle service is also available at the Best Western for those staying there.
Limited handicap spaces are available at Williams Gymnasium on a first come, first served basis. To park in one of these reserved spaces, a valid permit is required.
Shuttles will run from the Historic Banner Elk School and Avery Hall lot from 8–9:15 a.m. approximately every 15 minutes. Signs will be posted for the shuttle service at each location. A shuttle will also run from Best Western from 8–9 a.m. approximately every 15 minutes.
Following the Commencement ceremony, shuttle service will leave from Williams Gymnasium approximately every 15 minutes. This service will be available for 45 minutes. Shuttles will return guests to the Historic Banner Elk School, Avery Hall lot, and Best Western.
NOTE: No overnight parking in the reserved lots will be allowed. Lots will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 11. For the safety of all in attendance, no parking is allowed on city streets or in undesignated spots.
Live Streaming on Campus
Live streaming will be available in Hayes Auditorium, the Shelton Learning Commons, and the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Parking will be available at the following locations: Chaffee Center lots, and May School lot. See attached campus map for available parking.
The Commencement ceremony will be live streamed on the Lees-McRae Facebook page for those unable to attend.
Diploma Distribution
Diplomas will be distributed in the indoor tennis courts during the 30 minutes following the Commencement ceremony.
Food and Gifts
The Exchange Bookstore and Einstein Bros. Bagels will be open from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11.
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.
- 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.