Commencement
LOCATION CHANGE
Commencement exercises for the Class of 2022 will be held Saturday, May 7 at 11 a.m. in Williams Gymnasium.
Due to the weather forecast, the location for the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7 has been changed to Williams Gymnasium at the Athletic Complex.
Please remember that guests will be limited to four (4) per graduate in order to stay in compliance with the occupancy limit for Williams Gymnasium. Graduates will receive wristbands for guests during rehearsal on Friday. A live feed of the ceremony will be streamed for additional guests in Evans Auditorium.
Please take time to review the information below, as details regarding the ceremony have changed.
Friday, May 6
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 graduates, and will be hosted by the Lees-McRae Alumni Association who will be congratulating graduates with a special gift!
The brunch is only for graduates and the dress is Business Casual.
Commencement Rehearsal
1:30 p.m., Williams Gymnasium
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 6.
Alpha Chi Inductions
4:30 p.m., Evans Auditorium
Membership invitations were extended to students who are in the top ten 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., Steps of North Carolina Building
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.
Baccalareate 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 families, faculty, and staff.
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.
Saturday, May 7
Commencement
11 a.m., Williams Gymnasium
Graduates must arrive by 9:30 a.m. in the indoor tennis courts 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 the indoor tennis courts.
All guests need to wear the wristband provided before entering Williams Gymnasium.
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.
Commencement Parking and Shuttles
Parking for graduates and their guests on Saturday, May 7 will be available at the following locations on campus:
- Athletic Complex (Williams Gym lot, softball lot, and remote lot)
- Hayes lot
- Cannon Student Center lot
- Avery lot
- May School of Nursing and Health Sciences lot
Parking and shuttle service is also available at the Best Western for those staying there.
Parking for guests with mobility impairments is reserved in the Williams Gymnasium lot, however, the total number of parking spaces is limited. To park in one of these reserved spaces, a valid permit is required.
Shuttle Service
Shuttles will run from the Cannon Student Center and the Best Western from 9–10:30 a.m. approximately every 15 minutes. Signs will be posted for the shuttle service at each location.
Following the Commencement ceremony, shuttle service will leave from the entrance of Williams Gymnasium approximately every 15 minutes. This service will be available for 45 minutes. Shuttles will return guests to the Cannon Student Center and Best Western.
NOTE: Parking lots will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 7. No overnight parking in the reserved lots will be allowed. All vehicles must be removed by 6 p.m. on Friday, May 6. For the safety of all in attendance, no parking is allowed on city streets or in undesignated spots.
Caps and Gowns
Cap and gown orders are now available for pick-up at The Exchange Bookstore. Online and distance learning students may pick up their cap and gown at The Exchange Bookstore between 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on Friday, May 6. With questions, contact The Exchange Bookstore at burkel@lmc.edu or 828.898.8728.
NOTE: The Exchange Bookstore will be open 8 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. Einstein Bros. Bagels will be closed.
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. All participants will be entered into a raffle to win an iPad. The winner will be drawn in November 2022.
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.