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Commencement 2023

Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 13

10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Information Center – Poling Hall

2:00 p.m. Baccalaureate Service – Dahl Chapel and Auditorium

Planned and led by seniors, this traditional worship service celebrates the completion of their college journey and the beginning of their life journey.

3:30 p.m. Honor Walk – Wallace Hall Plaza

The Class of 2023 will honor family members, faculty, staff or friends who have inspired, motivated and supported graduates throughout their Monmouth College career.

Rain site: Huff Center Field House

8:00 p.m. Senior Send-Off – April Zorn Memorial Stadium

Graduates are welcomed into the Monmouth College Alumni Association with a ceremony, a toast and fireworks.

Sunday, May 14

8:00 a.m.–Noon Information Center – Poling Hall

9:00–11:30 a.m. Brunch Buffet - Main Dining Room, Stockdale Center

10:30 a.m. Class of 2023 Group Photo – Huff Athletic Center, South Steps

Class must be in position by 10:15 a.m. SHARP

Legacy Photo immediately following Class Photo

Graduates will report to Poling Hall to receive their line-up number.

Line-up begins at 11:15 a.m.

Noon Commencement Exercises – Wallace Hall Plaza

6:00 p.m. Residence Halls close

Commencement Special Accommodation Seating

You do not need to reserve tickets for Commencement, unless someone in your family requires special accommodations. Graduates may pick up the special accommodations tickets at the Senior Salute on April 27. Graduates may reserve up to two special needs seats for the ceremony.

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Information for Graduates

Caps and Gowns

Caps and Gowns, Announcements and Class Rings can be ordered soon online through Herff Jones. The last day to order is March 24. All gowns will be delivered to the Monmouth Bookstore and be disbursed at the Senior Salute on April 27.   
 

Senior Salute

The Senior Salute will be held on Thursday, April 27 from 12:30–5pm in the CSB Mellinger Commons. This event is designed for all graduates to take care of any unfinished business from the following departments: Business Office, Financial Aid, Library, Registrar, Wackerle Career Center, Office of Campus Events and the Monmouth College Bookstore will have caps and gowns to pick up.

Senior Meeting

Graduates are required to attend the information session that will be held at 11 a.m. on May 12 in Dahl Chapel & Auditorium. Information about the Baccalaureate service, Honor Walk, the Senior Send- Off, Commencement ceremony lineup, class pictures, honor regalia will be discussed. The Registrar’s Office will send you a reminder about the meeting.

Graduate School information

The Wackerle Career and Leadership Center can assist you with all your Graduate School inquiries. They can be contacted at 309-457-2115 or email www.wackerle@monmouthcollege.edu.

Invitations, Announcements, Diploma Frames

Orders for invitations and announcements may be made through the Monmouth College Bookstore. Monmouth College wooden diploma frames are available for purchase in the Monmouth College Bookstore.

Important Dates for Graduates:

  • January 16: Final day to apply for graduation
  • March 24: Final day to order graduation regalia
  • April 27: Senior Salute
  • May 11: Graduation Procedures Meeting at 11am in Dahl Chapel
  • May 13:
    • Baccalaureate at 2pm in Dahl Chapel and Auditorium
    • Honor Walk Ceremony at 3:30pm on Wallace Hall Plaza
    • Senior Send-Off at 8pm in April Zorn Memorial Stadium
  • May 14: Commencement at Noon on Wallace Hall Plaza

Information for Families and Guest

Live Video Streams and Photos

A professional photographer will take photos throughout the ceremony and as each graduate receives their diploma from President Wyatt. The entire ceremony will be live-streamed on the College’s social media platforms. All photos will be posted on the Monmouth Flickr page.

Parking

All campus parking lots are available for guest parking throughout Commencement weekend.  If you have a guest(s) that is unable to walk from the parking lot or are in a wheelchair, a drop off area is available in front of the Dahl Chapel and Auditorium located at the corner of 7th Street and East Broadway with easy access to the Wallace Hall Plaza.

Seating

Folding chairs will be setup and available for guests on a first come first serve basis. You may also bring your own fold-able chair and sit in the designated open area. 

Graduates may reserve up to two special needs seats for the ceremony through using the Commencement Special Accommodation Seating form above. Campus Safety will be available to assist guests locating their seats. It is recommended any guests in wheelchairs be dropped off in front of the Dahl Chapel.

Broadway Closure

Broadway between 6th and 9th Street will be closed from 10am – 3pm for the Commencement Ceremony. Please plan accordingly.

Flowers

Bouquets in various sizes will be available for purchase at the Commencement ceremony.

Inclement Weather

The Commencement ceremony will take place outside. Please dress accordingly. In the event the ceremony is moved indoors, the graduates will receive a Scots Alert message and also be announced on Monmouth College social media.

FAQs

  • Who is eligible to participate in Commencement?

    Students who have submitted the application for degree, have completed all degree requirements by the end of the spring semester, have no more than three courses remaining to complete their degree requirements, and received approval from the Registrar by the end of the same calendar year are eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.

  • Does my family need tickets for the ceremony?

    No tickets are required for the ceremony unless special accommodation seating is requested.

  • What type of seating is available?

    Folding chairs will be setup and available for guests on a first come first serve basis. You may also bring your own fold-able chair and sit in the designated open area.

    Graduates may reserve up to two special needs seats for the ceremony through using the Commencement Special Accommodation Seating form. Campus Safety will be available to assist guests locating their seats. It is recommended any guests in wheelchairs be dropped off in front of the Dahl Chapel.

  • What time is seating available?

    Seating opens at 9:30 a.m.. Seating at the ceremony is on a first-come first-served basis and does not require a ticket.

  • Are there special needs accommodations?

    Graduates may reserve up to two special needs seats for the ceremony through the Office of Campus Events. Campus Safety will be available to assist guests locating their seats. It is recommended any guests in wheelchairs be dropped off in front of the Dahl Chapel. Sign language interpreters will be available for both Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. Tickets may be reserved using the Commencement Special Accommodation Seating form above.

  • How long is the Commencement ceremony?

    The ceremony will last around 2 hours depending on the number of graduates.

  • Who is eligible to participate in Commencement?

    Students who have submitted the application for degree, have completed all degree requirements by the end of the spring semester, have no more than three courses remaining to complete their degree requirements, and received approval from the Registrar by the end of the same calendar year are eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.

  • Does my family need tickets for the ceremony?

    No tickets are required for the ceremony unless special accommodation seating is requested.

  • What type of seating is available?

    Folding chairs will be setup and available for guests on a first come first serve basis. You may also bring your own fold-able chair and sit in the designated open area.

    Graduates may reserve up to two special needs seats for the ceremony through using the Commencement Special Accommodation Seating form. Campus Safety will be available to assist guests locating their seats. It is recommended any guests in wheelchairs be dropped off in front of the Dahl Chapel.

  • What time is seating available?

    Seating opens at 9:30 a.m.. Seating at the ceremony is on a first-come first-served basis and does not require a ticket.

  • Are there special needs accommodations?

    Graduates may reserve up to two special needs seats for the ceremony through the Office of Campus Events. Campus Safety will be available to assist guests locating their seats. It is recommended any guests in wheelchairs be dropped off in front of the Dahl Chapel. Sign language interpreters will be available for both Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. Tickets may be reserved using the Commencement Special Accommodation Seating form above.

  • How long is the Commencement ceremony?

    The ceremony will last around 2 hours depending on the number of graduates.

  • When will I receive my diploma?

    Graduates who have completed all requirements for their degree will receive their diploma from President Wyatt on May 14. Graduates will be seated in alphabetical order. The graduates’ names are printed in the program and will be read in the order printed.

  • Will a photographer take official photograph during the ceremony?

    A professional photographer will take photos throughout the ceremony and as each graduate receives their diploma from President Wyatt. The entire ceremony will be live-streamed on the College’s social media platforms. All photos will be posted on the Monmouth Flickr page.

  • What are the requirements to receive honors designations?

    Students who have completed all of their coursework with a cumulative grade point average as listed below will graduate with each specific honor distinction.

    Cum laude 3.5–3.74
    Magna cum laude 3.75–3.89
    Suma cum laude 3.90–4.0

     

    Students who successfully complete the Monmouth College Honors Program will be recognized at Commencement and have this status included on their transcript.

    Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in courses taken toward the major in a department, who are judged by departmental faculty to have shown superior performance in the culminating experience of the major, and who have completed other requirements established by the department are recognized with departmental honors at graduation.

  • When and where do I receive me honor cords?

    Graduates will be notified via email on Saturday, May 13 to pick up honors in the Registrar’s Office.

  • What time and where do graduates need to check in on Sunday?

    The Class Photo will be taken promptly at 10:30am on the south steps of the Huff Athletic Center. Graduates should arrive by 10:15am. Following the class photo, graduates will be directed to the first floor of Poling Hall for their seating assignment. Graduates should go directly to the Broadway sidewalk for line up.

  • Where will the ceremony take place in the event of rain?

    In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Huff Center Field House. No tickets will be required for the indoor location.

  • What is Commencement Ceremony etiquette?

    During the reading of graduate names, we ask graduates and their guests to be considerate in their applause and celebration so that all names are heard clearly and the ceremony is not disrupted. Cell phones and other electronic devices will need to be silenced during the ceremony so as not to disrupt the event. Graduates and Guests should plan on staying for the entire ceremony. Each graduating student has worked hard and has looked forward to achieving this milestone. Early exits are disruptive to the ceremony and deprive students of a full celebratory experience.

  • What is Baccalaureate and do I need to attend?

    A traditional worship service led by the graduates, celebrates the completing of their college journey and the beginning of their life journey. The Baccalaureate service is held in the Dahl Chapel and Auditorium beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13. Graduates, wearing gowns only, will line up on the sidewalk in front of Dahl Chapel at 1:30 p.m.

  • What is the Honor Walk?

    Members of the Class of 2023 honor family members, faculty, staff or friends who have inspired, motivated and supported them during their Monmouth College years. The Honor Walk will be held in front of Wallace Hall on Saturday, May 13 at 3:30pm. Please contact the Alumni Office to participate at 309-457-2231.

  • Are families and guests invited to the Senior Send-Off?

    Yes, families and guests are welcome to attend.

  • What time will the residence halls close on Sunday?

    All residence halls close at 6pm on Sunday, May 14.

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If you have questions, contact the Office of Campus Events at 309-457-2345 or email stockdale@monmouthcollege.edu.

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