LANDER UNIVERSITY
IMPORTANT GRADUATION
INFORMATION
THIS PACKET INCLUDES:
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DIPLOMA PICK UP INFORMATION – Page 2
FALS INFORMATION – Page 3
PARENTAL/GUEST INFORMATION – Page 4
TICKET INFORMATION – Page 5
DRESS CODE – Page 6
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY INSTRUCTIONS - 7
MAP OF CAMPUS
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SPRING 2015 CANDIDATES
DIPLOMA PICK UP INFORMATION
We are giving students an opportunity to pick up their
diploma in the Registrar’s Office from Monday, May 25th
through Thursday, June 4th from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Learning Center 109 (The office is closed on Fridays).
 Only the student can pick up their diploma with a
picture ID.
If you are unable to pick up your diploma on the
designated dates, it will be mailed on Monday, June 15th.
We recommend picking up your diploma since they can
get damaged in mailing.
Is your legal home permanent address correct in
MyLander, Banner Self-Service?
 Please check because this is the address that will
be used for the mailing of your diploma (unless
you selected another address on your
graduation application.) Also, make sure we
have your correct phone number in case we
need to reach you.
If you have any questions you may call the Registrar’s
Office and speak with Taylor Johnston, (864) 388-8801.
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FALS INFORMATION
(FINE ARTS LECTURESHIP SERIES)
FALS requirement must be completed by
April 2, 2015.
It is required that 2 FALS credits must be completed for
every 15 hours earned at Lander, not to exceed 15 FALS
credits (15 credits over 4 years).
Hours completed at
Lander
> 105 hours
90 – 104.5 hours
75 – 89.5 hours
60 – 74.5 hours
45 – 59.5 hours
30 – 44.5 hours
< 29 hours
FALS credits required
15 FALS
12 FALS
10 FALS
8 FALS
6 FALS
4 FALS
2 FALS
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PARENTAL/GUEST INFORMATION
DATE: Spring 2015 Graduation will be Saturday, May 2, 2015.
PLACE AND TIME: Commencement ceremonies are held in the Finis Horne Arena on
campus. The ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00 AM. Entrance into the Finis Horne
Arena will not be possible after 10:45 AM.
TICKETS: Tickets will be required to attend the commencement ceremony. Graduation
candidates will be able to pick up and sign for their tickets during the last week of classes
and remaining tickets will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis during the week of
exams.
ARENA SEATING: 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:
1. The Willson Street entrance to the Finis Horne Arena will open at 9:00 AM. Arrive in
time to be seated in the Finis Horne Arena no later than 10:45 AM; otherwise, you
will be asked to watch the Ceremony in the Cultural Center Auditorium by closedcircuit television.
2. Guests with physical disabilities should plan to arrive early in order to get seated in
the arena. Due to campus construction, more detailed instructions for these
individuals will be sent out closer to the graduation date.
3. Guests are invited to extend to the graduating students the honor and respect of
polite applause as each student crosses the stage – befitting a dignified
ceremony. We ask that guests refrain from shouting out names or other forms of
boisterous behavior until all are invited to make a joyful sound of celebration and
congratulation at the end of the ceremony.
PICTURES: Students, for your convenience, we have made arrangements with GradImages
for a professional photographer to record the moment you are awarded your diploma. You
will receive a passport-sized, full-color proof in the mail after the ceremony. There is no
obligation to purchase, and you will have the option of ordering additional packages at very
reasonable prices. If you fail to receive your proof, feel free to contact the company at 800907-2740.
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TICKET INFORMATION
DISBURSEMENT OF TICKETS
Tickets will be required to attend the commencement ceremony.
Graduation candidates must pick up tickets for their friends and family.
Candidates will need to pick up and sign for their tickets with a picture ID as
directed below.
WHEN (weekdays only)
Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24th
**Graduation tickets that are not picked up within these dates, will be
given away starting Monday, April 27th. (See below under TIME
heading.)**
WHERE
University Police Office
TIME
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day
Remaining tickets will be available for pick up (first-come, first-served
basis) in the Registrar’s Office, Learning Center 109 on
Monday, April 27th.
NUMBER OF TICKETS
The number of tickets per candidate is based upon the number of
candidates. For Spring 2015, each candidate will be allotted seven (7)
tickets.
Guests without tickets can watch the graduation ceremony in the Cultural
Center Auditorium by closed-circuit television.
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DRESS CODE
WARDROBE:
Men - white shirts, dark ties, and dark shoes.
Women - dark shoes and dark clothing, with conservative
jewelry.
1. No chewing gum
2. No flip flops
3. No dangly earrings or necklaces
4. Cap worn flat on head, not on the back of head
5. Tassel should hang on right side of cap
6. Alterations of commencement regalia are not
permitted.
SORORITY AND FRATERNITY “DECORATIONS”: We ask
that no decorations are to be worn on your graduation
regalia. Please bring them forward to be left in the
auxiliary gym.
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COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY INSTRUCTIONS
PLACE – Auxiliary Gym, PEES Complex (side of Brookside Housing and Soccer/Softball
fields)
TIME – 10:00 a.m.
REHEARSAL: There is no rehearsal for graduation candidates, so it is essential that all
candidates arrive on time. Parents and guests will not be allowed to enter the PEES
Complex. At exactly 10:30 a.m. special instructions and the formation of the procession line
will begin.
LATE COMERS – Anyone arriving after the formation of the procession line begins will be
required to take their place at the end of the line.
CEREMONY
You MUST pick up a "GRADUATION CARD” upon entrance into the PEES building. The
“GRADUATION CARD” not only gives you your number in line but it is the card you will
hand to the Academic Vice President to call out your name before crossing the stage.
At 10:30 a.m. in the Auxiliary Gym, everyone will be directed to form the procession line by
the number on your card. The procession line is formed in accordance with the
commencement program (alphabetically by degree, major, name). Again, let me stress the
need to hold on to your “GRADUATION CARD” – this is the card you will hand to the
Academic Vice President to call out your name before crossing the stage.
Follow the Marshall into arena and to your seat. REMAIN STANDING until the Invocation
has been given then you may sit down. MEN: remove your cap.
SPEAKER
AWARDING of Honorary Degree
PRESENTATION TO CANDIDATES: LISTEN for instructions from the Academic Vice
President – he will first call for Master degree candidates by stating, "All candidates for the
Masters degree please rise". Wait for the Marshall to indicate for you to proceed to the
stage.
When the Master candidates have returned to their seats, he will call for the Bachelor
degree candidates by stating, “All candidates for the Bachelor degree please rise”. Wait for
instructions to move to the stage. The Marshall will lead the FIRST ROW to the stage and
the REMAINING GRADUATES MAY SIT DOWN. REMAINING CANDIDATES, WAIT for the
Marshall to indicate for your row to rise and proceed to the stage. Step upon stage and
hand your name “GRADUATION CARD” to the Academic Vice President. DO NOT move
across the stage until you hear your name! Your preliminary academic honors will be
announced at this time. Receive your diploma cover with your left hand and shake hands
with your right.
CONCLUSION - Platform dignitaries will recess first, faculty and graduation candidates
will exit next. You will recess through the main first floor entrance doors at the back of the
arena. Please to prevent confusion and congestion problems, recess completely out of the
arena and into the parking lot area before greeting your family and friends.
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