Commencement

At commencement rehearsal, graduates will receive 8 tickets for their assigned commencement ceremony. Ticket holders may enter the chapel at 9:00 a.m. for the 10:00 ceremony and at 1:00 p.m. for the 2:00 ceremony. Ticket holders will not be allowed to save seats for non-ticket holders, but doors will open for general seating at 9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Guests who are unable to find seats in the chapel may watch a live broadcast in the Gregory Center theatre.

Students who do not plan to participate in the ceremony will not receive tickets.

Graduation regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) will be available in the bookstore beginning March 28. The prices for regalia (plus tax) are as follows: Undergraduate: $58.95; Graduate $108.95; Doctoral $132.95. Undergraduate regalia sets include a graduation robe with the Milligan logo on the front, a mortar board cap, and a tassel. Graduate regalia sets include a master’s or doctoral graduation robe with the Milligan logo on the front (new
this year), a master’s or doctoral hood, a mortar board cap, and a tassel.

Graduation announcements and time/place cards are available in the bookstore for $9.99 plus tax (package of five).

All graduates should wear their caps, gowns, and tassels to the ceremony. Graduate students should bring their hoods to the ceremony and carry them in the graduation line. Graduate program directors will hood the students as they cross the stage.

Honors for undergraduate students are calculated based on the anticipated cumulative grade point average at the end of the spring 2025 semester (Summa Cum Laude: 3.95 – 4.0, Magna Cum Laude: 3.75 – 3.94, Cum Laude: 3.5 – 3.74). Honors calculations are based on the cumulative GPA from the official transcript, which is truncated at the thousandths place. The GPA on the student transcript in Self-Service is truncated at the hundredths place. (Example: A GPA that appears as 3.75 in Self-Service might be a 3.749 on the official transcript.)

Honor cords will be distributed at commencement rehearsal.

Only students who have met all obligations (parking tickets, financial, academic, testing, library, etc.) receive diplomas. Students enrolled in traditional undergraduate programs who have not completed all required SFP (Spiritual Formation Program) requirements may participate in the commencement ceremony but will not receive a diploma or a degree until all requirements are completed.

Students who borrowed federal loans are required to complete loan counseling. A Student Financial Services representative will contact students with more information. Students with questions may contact Erica Stone (EMStone@milligan.edu or 423.975.8050) or Elizabeth Williams (LEWilliams@milligan.edu or 423.461.8967).

Childcare will be provided free of charge in the Runner classroom (downstairs on the mid-level) during both commencement ceremonies and the blessing service. Parents of young children are encouraged to take advantage of this service.

To make arrangements for guests with special seating needs, contact Stacy Dahlman.

Lunch will be available for purchase in the McCormick Dining Center from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Lunch offerings include a hot buffet, a salad bar, and a pizza bar. The price per adult is $9.00. Children ages 5 – 11 may eat for $4.50 each, and children ages 4 and under may eat for free.

The ceremony will be broadcast online at milligan.edu/streaming for friends and family members who are unable to attend.

For information about visiting campus, hotel accommodations or to view a campus map, see milligan.edu/about/location/.