COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY: MAY 2016
Dear Spring 2016 Candidates & Fall 2015 Graduates:
Kent State University at Geauga and the Regional Academic Center invites all Spring 2016
degree candidates and Fall 2015 graduates to participate in our May 13th, 2016 Commencement
(graduation) Ceremony. The Commencement Committee is happy to share that the 2016
Commencement Ceremony will be held at the Burton location of Kent State Geauga. We look
forward to sharing this educational milestone with you, your family, and friends.
In order for your Commencement Ceremony to be of the highest quality, we ask that you read
the information listed below; and then submit a RSVP: yes or no. Informing the
Commencement Committee of your decision promptly is very important. Due to the change in
ceremony location, a record attendance is expected for the Geauga Campus Commencement
Ceremony!
Dates
Friday, May 13, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Place
Kent State Geauga Campus, 14111 Claridon-Troy Road, Burton, OH
44021
Diploma
Your name will appear on your diploma as listed on your FLASHLINE
account. If it is incorrect, please notify the Registrar’s Office at (330)
672-3131. After a successful final graduation clearance, Diplomas will be
sent to the permanent address listed on your FLASHLINE web portal
account approximately six to eight weeks after the ceremony. If you want
to change your mailing address, please do so by updating your
FLASHLINE account. Please contact Dave Chappell (440) 834-3730 at
the Geauga Campus if questions arise.
Graduation Status
Associate Degree candidates having questions about their graduation status should please contact
the Geauga Campus Registrar, Mrs. Jennifer Sayre, at (440) 834-4187. Baccalaureate Degree
candidates should contact the Kent Campus College where their program of study (major) is
offered: e.g. Psychology is a major offered by the College of Arts & Sciences.
Electronic RSVP & Guest Tickets
Spring Candidates & Fall Graduates: Please copy & paste the link below into your internet
browser to complete the electronic RSVP for the Commencement Ceremony. The RSVP link
will open on 2/19/2016 and close on 3/30/2016.
http://kentstate.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bNOZYwPl99zb77v
The information requested will help the Geauga Campus Commencement Committee plan for
the ceremony. Guest tickets are required for this year’s ceremony. Each spring graduation
candidate or fall graduate may invite four family and/or friends to the May 13th, 2016
Commencement Ceremony. Additional guest tickets may become available, depending on the
student and guest RSVP’s.
Please contact Dave Chappell at (440) 834-3730 or dchappel@kent.edu for guest seating
questions or special guest seating requests.
Exit Loan Counseling
All student borrowers in the Federal Direct Loan Program who graduate are required to complete
Exit Counseling. The purpose of Exit Counseling is to select a repayment plan, review
deferment, forbearance, and cancellation provisions, review loan consolidation and review the
serious consequences of delinquency and default. The Exit Counseling requirement may be
completed online at www.studentloans.gov. If you have a Perkins loan or a Nursing loan from
Kent State, you will be contacted by the Bursar’s Office regarding your exit counseling
requirements.
Caps and Gowns
Two opportunities to purchase regalia (caps and gowns) will be offered at the Geauga Campus.
The Follett University Bookstore will be in Burton on March 29, 2016 from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m., and in Twinsburg on March 31, 2016 from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 pm. Associate and
Bachelor Degree Regalia will cost $57.40 w/o tax. The University will accept cash, checks, or
credit cards. For additional information and hours of bookstore operation, please call, Kent
Campus University (Barnes and Noble) Bookstore, (330) 672-2762. Regalia may also be
purchased by fax order form or at the University Bookstore on the Kent Campus.
Rehearsals
The rehearsal for Saturday’s ceremony is on Wednesday, May 11th, at 6:00 p.m. to 8:30
PM at the Geauga Campus in Burton. Attendance is expected. It is important for all
candidates to attend in order to verify processional order, seating arrangements, and program
participation.
Honor Cords
Honor cords are awarded to students graduating with a Baccalaureate Degree. There is no
fee for honor cords. The Kent Campus Commencement Committee is willing to send the cords
to the Geauga Campus Student Services Office for pick-up if requested by the student ahead of
time.
Baccalaureate Minimum Cumulate Honor’s GPA, Beginning in the Spring 2016:
3.500 cum laude .............................blue cords
3.700 magna cum laude...................gold cords
3.900 summa cum laude...................blue and gold cords
Lapel ribbons, for students graduating with Distinction (honors) while pursuing an Associate
Degree, are distributed the night of rehearsal or graduation. Minimum Cum. GPA: 3.500.
Graduation Day at Geauga
Students should arrive no later than 5:45 PM on Friday, May 13th. A space under the
Grandstand will be set aside for changing into your regalia. The Processional (formal start
of the event) begins at 6:30 p.m. on May 13th. The ceremony will start on time. Do not
arrive late!
What to wear
Men usually wear dark slacks or suits or jackets with ties, dark shoes, and socks. Women often
wear dark-colored attire and dark comfortable heels.
Graduation Reception
A brief graduation reception will follow the Commencement Ceremonies. Family and friends
are invited. The general reception will be held in our Student Lounge and patio area. The Center
Lounge will also be used if the weather is rainy and/or cold.
Photographs
Photographs will be taken after the ceremony on the stage with Dean Mohan. Please return to
the stage after the recessional. You will receive a free 4x6 photograph and have the opportunity
to purchase a family picture taken by Ms. Amanda Hrabak of New Direction Photography, LCC.
Contact: (440) 708-0965, or www.newdirectionphoto.com
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Please contact Dave Chappell at (440) 834-3730 or dchappel@kent.edu