Commencement
The college is committed to honoring the achievements of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 during in-person commencement exercises on Saturday, May 8 at Grandfather Mountain in the MacRae Meadows. For the health and safety of all participants, the outdoor events will be socially distanced and include strict masking protocols.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper recently announced an executive order lifting the modified stay at home directives and easing certain restrictions on businesses and gatherings. The order allows for a greater number of attendees for both indoor and outdoor events.
The new state guidelines now make it possible for each graduate to invite up to four (4) guests. Graduates from both classes must RSVP by Friday, March 26. Graduates who have already committed to attend will automatically be registered for four (4) guests.
All event decisions are made for the health and safety of our graduates and their families, as well as the faculty and event staff. The college will continue to monitor state guidelines and work with local officials. Participants will receive amended event information and protocols if new gathering guidelines go into effect.
More information regarding health and safety measures, ceremony times, parking, and photography will be communicated at a later date.
(Updated March 5, 2021)
Cap and Gown Orders
Class of 2021: It’s time to place orders for your cap and gown! The deadline to place orders is Tuesday, March 9. Any late orders risk not arriving by graduation day and may not include the graduation year on the cap tassel.
Place your cap and gown order here >>
If you would like your cap and gown shipped, please send an email to sm092@bncollege.com with the subject “Shipping Cap and Gown.” Be sure to include your full name, phone number, and address in the email as well.
With questions, contact The Exchange Bookstore at 828.898.8728.
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.