Information for all graduates

• Caps and gowns
  

  Academic vestments, your cap and gown, should already be on order with Concordia Bookstore, located in the lower level of the Janzow Campus Center. If you have not placed your order, please stop in or call the bookstore immediately. [more]

• Graduation announcements and class rings



• Photographer at rehearsal

  So that you have a fine memento of the graduation event, Concordia is providing a professional photographer to photograph each graduate as he/she receives the diploma. This year these photographs will be taken at the commencement rehearsal. Graduates should bring their caps and gowns to rehearsal for the photographs. On the day of commencement, proofs will be available for viewing and ordering at the Janzow Campus Center lobby, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. If you have questions about photography, please contact Lisa Nickolite in the marketing and communication office.

• Seating guests with disabilities

  If you have guests with disabilities who would like to be seated in the gymnasium, please plan for them to arrive approximately one hour before commencement begins. We will gladly remove chairs to accommodate wheelchairs so that they may be seated with other members of your party. Since seating on the floor of the gym is extremely limited and aisles must be kept free in the event of evacuation, we strongly encourage your early arrival.

• Live streaming of Saturday's commencement exercises 
  
  Do you have some friends or relatives unable to attend? Please let them know that Saturday's commencement exercises are scheduled to be available live via the Concordia website.

• Yearbooks

"Late" and "early" graduates

July and December 2007 graduates may participate in the subsequent spring commencement.  Those who are planning to take their final classes during a summer term may also participate in spring ceremonies, prior to actually completing all of their coursework.   Please review the information below carefully if this applies to you.

• Information for returning July and December 2007 grads
  
• Information for "early" participants

Dear Graduate,

Congratulations! We have made plans for a very important event in your life, graduation day. Please read this letter carefully for dates, deadlines, and other important information.

Two commencement services will be held on May 10, at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Students receiving a bachelor of arts degree, bachelor of science degree, bachelor of music degree or bachelor of fine arts degree will participate in the 8 a.m. service; students receiving a bachelor of science in education, DCE specialist, or master’s degrees will participate in the 10:30 a.m. service.

The following activities have been scheduled prior to and including commencement:

Wednesday, May 7, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Graduate/Senior Barbecue Picnic Dinner at the Janzow Campus Center, Cattle Conference Room - Sponsored by the president and the Alumni Association. Pick up your alumni gift, a portfolio.  Attend and register for prizes. For graduates unable to be at the picnic, please stop by the alumni office in Weller 204 to pick up your portfolio gift.

Friday, May 9, 1:00 p.m. Rehearsal for graduation in the PE building - All graduates should plan to be present. You will be given directions for both the 8 and 10:30 commencement services, then divide into two groups according to your degree. While one group rehearses in the gym the other group will attend a meeting in the science lecture hall regarding student loans and complete an assessment survey. If circumstances prevent your attendance at the rehearsal but you will be present at the graduation on Saturday, please call Sue Jensen at 402-643-7228. If you are unable to attend the financial aid meeting, please call the financial aid office at 402-643-7270 to arrange a time to view a 20-minute video before leaving campus.

Friday, May 9, 7:30 p.m. Baccalaureate service at St. John Lutheran Church - Graduates will wear academic gowns and caps but not hoods, and will process and sit together as a class. Please assemble no later than 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall (lower level) of St. John Church. There will be a reception immediately following the baccalaureate service in the St. John Fellowship Hall. (See also the related note from the chaplain's office, below.)

Saturday, May 10  Commencement Services – Commencement will be held in the gymnasium of the PE Building.

8 a.m. Commencement - Graduates receiving a degree at this time, please report to the TLEC no later than 7:30 a.m. The marshals will help you line up.

10:30 a.m. Commencement - Graduates receiving a degree at this time, please report to the TLEC no later than 10 a.m. The marshals will help you line up.

Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. – noon Concordia Legacy photos - If you are graduating and have fellow Concordia University, Neb., alumni members in your family here with you, you are invited to have your Concordia Legacy picture taken together. Each family will receive complimentary 4"x6" photos of their group and your family picture will be included in the Concordia Legacy album.  Photos will be taken in the lobby of Janzow Campus Center.

Saturday, May 10 Luncheon - A meal will be served to all graduates and their guests at the Janzow Campus Center Dining Hall, after each ceremony, courtesy of Concordia University.

We hope you will be able to participate in all of these activities. We will assume that you will participate in commencement. If you are not able to attend, it is very important that you inform us by phoning Sue Jensen at 402-643-7228 as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Mark Meehl and Lisa Ashby
Faculty Marshals

Fellow Concordians,

Congratulations on your forthcoming graduation from Concordia University. I pray that God will bless you in your career and grant you many opportunities for service.

We will celebrate the end of the academic year with a baccalaureate service on Friday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church here in Seward. You, your family, and friends are invited to join us in this celebration. Please bring your cap and gown to the Fellowship Hall one-half hour prior to the service so that there will be adequate time to robe and assemble for the procession.

As part of the service, we will observe a special rite of consecration for ministry in and with the Church. Following the sermon, all graduates - liberal arts students, business students, and church work graduates - will be invited to stand for the rite of consecration. Please be aware that the class of 2008 will have a speaking part in the liturgy.

We all are praying that God will richly bless you and your future. Please join us in praying that God will bless the graduation exercises as well.

The Chaplain's Office