Graduating

Students need to apply for graduation by the published deadline. Applications will be sent to potential graduates by campus mail or are available in the registrar's office. The registrar's office will contact applied graduates of their status toward graduation after the application is filed. 

Commencement ceremonies are held in May of each year.  All graduates are strongly encouraged to attend.  Please see the main commencement page for details related to graduation.

Questions regarding you progress toward graduation should be directed to your assigned academic advisor and the registrar's office.

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.

If you wish to participate, please make sure you notify Sue Jensen by calling 402-643-7228.

You will attend the ceremony appropriate for the degree you earned: BA, BFA, BMus, BS are at the early ceremony, BSEd and graduate degrees are at the late ceremony.

The letter on the Graduation 2008 page from the faculty marshals titled "Essential graduation information" has the details.

At the ceremony you will be seated in alphabetical order with students earning the same degree as you received.

You do not need to bring your actual diploma with you. When you process across the stage the President will hand you a blank diploma cover enclosed in a white envelope which will look just like those who are receiving their diploma that day. (Please return the blank diploma cover at the same place you return your gown - in the weight room or the bookstore.)

You will need to be present for rehearsal on Friday, May 4. It's important we have you at rehearsal so we can allocate the correct number of seats for all participants.

Frequently asked questions:

How do I know if I’m eligible?

If you received your master's degree or a DCE specialist diploma in July or December 2007, you are eligible for the 2008 commencement ceremony.

If you received your bachelor's degree in July or December 2007 and did not request and receive permission to participate in the May 2007 ceremony, you are eligible for the 2008 ceremony.

Each person has one opportunity to participate in a commencement ceremony. If you receive a degree in May, that is your ceremony. If you don't receive a degree at the end of summer or fall semester, you typically will have your opportunity the next May. However, undergraduates who are within 6 hours of receiving their degree may request permission to participate prior to actually receiving their degree. Contact the registrar for details on this process. If you've received that permission for a prior ceremony, that was your opportunity.

I want to take a photograph with my actual diploma, can I bring it along?

Feel free to do so; have a friend or family member hold it for you until after the ceremony.

I just cannot make it to rehearsal since I'm working and can't get there on Friday, what can I do?

If you really can't make it, please let Sue Jensen know (402-643-7228). We'll need to have your assurance you really will be attending so we can plan seating for you.

A) are within 6 hours of completing your degree, and
B) will complete your degree by the end of Summer 2008, and
C) have submitted a “Permission to Participate” and "Graduation Application" forms from the registrar's office.