Graduation vs. Commencement – What’s the difference?
Have you seen graduation and commencement used in different places and wondered if there is a difference? There is!
The simple way to think of it is that graduation is the process of conferring you have met the requirements to earn your degree and Commencement is the celebration of those that have completed those requirements. Graduation is acknowledging that you have completed the work and Commencement is the party!
Those who apply for Graduation by the March 1 deadline will receive information sometime during the middle of March with information on RSVPing to Commencement (that is a separate process from applying for Graduation) and how to go about claiming tickets for your guests. Due to capacity limitations, the number of tickets available to each graduating student varies each year depending on the number of graduating students who indicate they are interested in attending Commencement. That number will be communicated as soon as we know how many students plan to attend Commencement.
Commencement Program
The names of all August 2024, December 2024, and May 2025 graduates will be automatically included in the commencement program.
Please note: The final list of names for the commencement program is compiled and released to the printer shortly after the deadline, so exceptions cannot be made. If you apply to graduate after the application deadline, your name may not appear in the printed program due to printing deadlines.
If you would like your name to be EXCLUDED from the printed commencement program, you must contact Valerie Taylor in the Registrar’s Office by April 1 at vtaylor@emeieme.com.
Degree Conferral & Diploma
The degree conferral date is the last day of each term. Verification of conferral eligibility may be completed within four weeks after the last day of the term. Your transcript will not show the degree conferral until this verification has been completed. If your eligibility for conferral cannot be determined within that 4-week period, you’ll be required to reapply for graduation in the subsequent term.
To increase accuracy and prevent damage to the diplomas, Shenandoah University does not distribute official degrees at the ceremony. Your official degree will be mailed to the address you provided within 6-8 weeks after graduation, as long as you’ve met all necessary obligations and requirements. During the ceremony, you will be given a mock diploma scroll.
The Graduate RSVP for the Graduation Ceremony on May 24th is due by April 26, 11:59 p.m. EDT. Please contact commencement@emeieme.com for assistance.
Not all students may be able to complete degree requirements in time for commencement. You may participate in the commencement ceremony at any time after your degree requirements have been met or as specified by the guidelines in the Course Catalog. Shenandoah University’s commencement ceremony is scheduled for May. You may “walk” in the May ceremony if you have attempted enough credits required for completion of your degree program less than six in the semester of commencement. Exceptions may be approved only by the Provost.
You will only be eligible for class honors if you have fulfilled all of your degree requirements. Honors for the commencement program in May are calculated at the end of the fall semester prior to May graduation. If you complete your requirements after the May ceremony, honors will be calculated at the end of your final term and will appear on your transcript and diploma. Your honors will also be eligible for inclusion in the commencement program the following May.
You may participate in one commencement ceremony for each degree earned, and your name may be printed one time — for each degree earned— in the commencement program.
Questions? Contact the SU Bookstore at 540-665-4523
Veteran Cords
The university will honor veteran and active duty faculty, staff, and students by presenting them with a special red, white, and blue honor cord to be worn during the university’s Commencement ceremony. Please email a copy of your active duty orders or DD-214 to the Registrar’s Office at gibill@emeieme.com no later than April 15. Cords can be picked up from the graduate check-in table at the Commencement lineup. Contact the Registrar’s Office at gibill@emeieme.com with questions.
Honor Cords and Graduate Hoods
Gold cords in recognition of Latin honors will be distributed during the graduate line-up. Honors will be calculated based on your fall GPA for the commencement program. The honors listed on your transcript will be based on your cumulative GPA. Honor cords are given only to undergraduate students.
Doctoral and master’s students will be hooded during separate ceremonies within their school/division and should wear their hoods during the university’s commencement ceremony.
Graduates are strongly urged to attend the Graduate Commencement Rehearsal – with the exception of those who have final exams during that time – which will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 4:30 pm-5:00 pm at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center.
Immediately following the walkthrough is GRAD BASH!
Information coming soon.
Please report in your cap and gown to the football stadium for line-up at 8:00 a.m. A class photo will be taken at 8:15 a.m., weather permitting.
Please do not bring any valuables, purses, etc., as you will have to carry whatever you bring with you to your seat at the ceremony. Shenandoah is not responsible for items that are lost, damaged, or stolen.
Alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine products are prohibited in Shentel Stadium, the graduate lineup, or the Wilkins Athletics & Events Center. All alcohol will be confiscated.
A camera drone will be present during the lineup and used to capture the class photo. Please be aware that the drone will fly over the graduates throughout the lineup.
Upon arriving at the line-up, graduates will:
- Pick up your reader card and honor cord (if applicable) from the appropriate table
- See the readers if you have a name you feel is difficult to pronounce, so the readers can make note of the correct pronunciation
Once lined up, you are not permitted to leave the line-up site or your designated line. Be sure to use the restroom, etc., prior to reporting to the line-up. There will be water available at the line-up site.
Please listen carefully, as you will be lined up based on your school or division and by degree program. You will not be walking across the stage in alphabetical order so please let your family know you will be walking with your school or division, and degree program.
Staff members will offer further explanations during the line-up and at rehearsal.
Your commencement program will be on your seat at the ceremony site.
Graduate Attire
There is no “official” dress code for commencement. However, since commencement is a formal ceremony, business casual dress is suggested under your gown. You are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be standing and walking for much of the day.
Graduates will be notified regarding important commencement information via the following sources:
- The email address you submitted to the registrar’s office when you applied to graduate.
- SUN-e
- SU Website
Please continue to check these sources for important updates.
updated 01/21/2025