Reporting, Assembly, & Ceremony

Graduates will need to report to Turner Athletic Center at 8:00 a.m. Bring only the cap and gown – leave personal belongings (phone, purse, cameras, etc.) with your guests.

You will be given a name card and asked to find your position in line (alpha order). During the ceremony graduates will hand their card to the announcer as they step on to the stage for their name to be announced.

If the name is difficult to pronounce, please write a phonetic spelling on the card or whisper the pronunciation to the announcer prior to the announcement of the name.

Line up for the  procession is by degree. Master degree candidates will be first in line, Bachelor candidates will be next, followed by Associate candidates. Attendants will lead the procession for the ceremony. The processional will begin promptly at 9am.

After the ceremony the platform party, faculty and graduates will recess, guests will remain in their seats until the recessional is complete.

Dress Code

Tassels are to be worn at the right temple. Men are to remove their caps during the opening prayer, but the cap is worn during conferral of the degree and receiving the diploma folder from the President. Please wear the cap and gown with dignity and no distracting items pinned on them.

The University reserves the right to prohibit decorations on mortar boards that it deems overly elaborate or inappropriate. Masks are not required.

Graduates are asked to dress if they were going to a professional interview. Consider wearing flat shoes.

Latin Honor Cords

Bachelor candidates who qualify for Latin honors status (Cum Laude 3.5- 3.69 GPA, Magna Cum Laude 3.70-3.89 GPA or Summa Cum Laude 3.9-4.0 GPA) and Master candidates who qualify for Distinction (4.0 GPA) will receive honor cords prior to the day of the ceremony.

Honors status will be printed in the program and is based on records as of the end of the previous semester or term. Final honors status will be based on all courses and grades and will be printed on the diploma. Latin Honors are not recognized at the Associate level.

Honor Society Cords

Undergraduates may wear cords or ribbons from university academic honor societies where they hold membership. These should be worn in the same manner as those for the Latin honors noted above. Only authorized and registered honor societies may provide honor cords.

2024 Philanthropy Cord

Purchase your 2024 Philanthropy Cord here!
Giving back to your alma mater is a HUGE deal and we are here to make it easy for you with
two options! 
If you would like to pick up your cord from the Welcome Center on campus, make your first
gift of just $20.24 to Warner by April 17.
If you would like your cord shipped, make your first gift of just $24 to Warner by April 5 and
we will get it in the mail for you.
This is a great way to show off your Royal pride at graduation! 
*Cords that need to be shipped must be purchased before April 5 to ensure delivery by
Commencement.
Please contact abby.crawford@warner.edu if you have any questions.

Do I need tickets for the ceremony?

There will be general admission seating provided. There will not be tickets.

Photo & Video?

Professional video and photo will occur during the ceremony, including a live stream, which will be available on our homepage. All seating at the ceremony allows for a good view of the stage and so we ask that guests take personal photo and video from their seats only.

Weather?

In case inclement weather prevents from beginning on time, the ceremony will begin as soon as the weather is clear.

COVID-19?

Event details are subject to change based on COVID-19.

How do I pay my graduation fee?

Your graduation fee will be assessed to your Student Account in the amount of $75 for undergraduate and $150 for graduate. If you haven’t done so, please view your Billing Statement on ROAR and use the “make a payment link” on ROAR or contact the Business Office at (863) 638-7216 to arrange for payment. The graduation fee is assessed whether or not a student attends the graduation ceremony and is non-refundable.

What cap and gown sizes are available?

Gowns are sized by height and weight. Caps are constructed with elastic bands so they are one-size-fits-all.

How long with the ceremony last?

The duration of the ceremony is expected to last approximately 90 minutes +/-, depending on the number of candidates who elect to participate.

What do I need to do if I am unable to attend the commencement ceremony?

On your graduation application you checked a box indicating whether you plan to attend commencement ceremony or not. If you are not attending, you will still receive announcements about graduation and diplomas. If your intentions change and you would like to attend please inform the Registrar at once by emailing registrar@warner.edu.

When will I receive my Diploma?

Degrees will be conferred after all final grades are posted. Diplomas will be mailed to students 6-8 weeks after the semester ends, once financial obligations have been met.

When will my degree be posted on my official Transcript?

After all final grades are posted by faculty, the Registrar’s Office begins the process of reviewing audits and posting degrees on official transcripts. If you need an official transcript sent to a grad school or employer, transcripts may be ordered via www.getmytranscript.com Please select the option “Hold for Degree Posting” so that we know not to send your transcript prematurely. All financial obligations must be met before official transcripts can be released.

I have more questions. Who should I contact?

Contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@warner.edu.