The following information will help you prepare for the culmination of your time at Lander University - commencement. If you have questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office (Carnell Learning Center, Room 109) at 864-388-8503.
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Graduate Lists
The Commencement ceremonies are held in the Finis Horne Arena on campus. The Fall 2022 ceremonies will be held on Wednesday, December 14. More information will be posted.
Tickets are required to attend the commencement ceremony. In order to accommodate physical distancing and event capacity guidelines, graduates will be allowed eight (8) guests. Graduation candidates will be able to pick up and sign for their tickets during the last week of classes. Every guest must have a ticket to enter the arena (including small children and infants).
If you have questions regarding tickets, please contact the Registrar’s Office (Learning Center, Room 109) at 864-388-8503.
To accommodate those who are not able to attend commencement in person, the University will livestream all ceremonies through the Lander website. Anyone deemed at an increased risk for COVID-19 by public health officials is strongly encouraged to view the livestream rather than attend the ceremony in person.
Links will be live the day of the ceremony.
The University's clear bag policy will be enforced, and metal detectors will be in use at each entrance. All items will be subject to search.
Graduates and guests who wish to wear face coverings while inside Horne Arena, the PEES Gym, Abney Cultural Center Auditorium, or any other location on campus are welcomed and encouraged to do so.
Parking for commencement is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To see a parking map, click here.
To allow time for parking, screening and seating, please plan to arrive early. Doors to the arena will open one hour prior to the start of each ceremony and will close 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Latecomers and those without tickets will be directed to designated overflow areas on campus for closed-circuit viewing of the ceremony.
Seating for guests with limited mobility will also be available.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, all graduates and their guests are asked to quickly clear the arena to allow staff time to clean and sanitize the area before the next program.
In order to ensure that Lander University maximizes the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all who plan to attend the ceremony and to ensure compliance with the State Fire Marshall Code, we ask that our guests observe the following courtesies:
A candidate for a degree must file a Request for Graduation form with the Registrar's Office and complete the online graduation application in Bearcat Web by the date published in the current catalog. An application for a degree is not accepted unless the student has paid all fees required by the university, including the graduation fee. Candidates for graduation must complete all institution coursework in the anticipated term of graduation and by the semester deadline date for final grades in order to receive their diploma/degree. Graduating students with physical disabilities are expected to communicate with the Registrar's Office regarding accommodations needed for their participation in the commencement ceremony upon submission of their application. If a student's graduation plans change, academically or personally, the student must reapply for graduation during the next anticipated term of graduation and pay the graduation fee. Students who apply to graduate in August and who complete all requirements receive their diploma in August and are automatically included in the following December ceremony.
The time frame for students to apply for graduation in the fall, spring, or summer semesters is the first day after drop/add through the fourth week of classes. Announcements will be sent out to students through their Lander email addresses.
Transfer Coursework Policy
Beginning Fall 2017, students may not take coursework at another institution during their term of graduation. All coursework from other institutions must be received and posted prior to the semester of your graduation from Lander University.
Verification of Graduation Information
One month after the semester graduation deadline, candidates will receive an email to verify their diploma name, degree, major, minor, preliminary honors, and hometown (publication purposes). Any changes must be submitted to the Registrar's Office.
Graduation Gala
Every fall and spring semester a graduation gala is held for that semester's candidates. Information will be sent from the Bearcat Shop and Herff Jones and the date will be posted on Lander's calendar. Attendance is strongly encouraged. Students will order their cap and gown, verify their degree information is correct, receive a packet of information about the ceremony, have the ability to order announcements, be able to have a picture made with a cap and gown on, and will verify alumni information.
Academic Honors
The following academic honors will be mentioned during the commencement ceremony: Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude, Golden L, and Honors College.
Announcement of Graduates
Within a month of the ceremony, a preliminary listing will be posted on the this page.
Within one month after the ceremony, a final graduate list will be available on the Registrar's Office graduation web page. Newspaper announcements will be posted in the Greenwood and hometown paper.
Participation in Commencement Ceremony
Student participation is allowed if:
An official or unofficial withdrawal of all classes during the graduation semester or an “Incomplete” grade on a student’s record will disqualify participation in graduation. Any other conditions which disqualify a student from participation in the commencement ceremony may be appealed.
Diplomas will be available for pickup in the Registrar’s Office from May 16-31. Please be sure to bring a photo ID when picking up your diploma. Diplomas will not be released to anyone other than the student. Any diplomas that were not picked up will be mailed on June 1. The mailing address for the diploma will be the address specified by the student during the online portion of the graduation application.
Diploma Replacement or Duplication
Alumni, please submit the New Diploma Replacement Form (PDF) to order a replacement or duplicate diploma.