Graduation

Commencement is a long-standing tradition that celebrates the achievements of our graduates. It is the culmination of our students’ hard work over the course of the last four years (and sometimes even longer), and in the case of our graduate students, intensive study over a shorter period of time. Congratulations to all of our graduates on your accomplishments.

Commencement 2025!

Commencement 2025 Ceremony will be on Saturday, May 3 (at 10 a.m.) at the Crown Coliseum (1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306).

Rehearsal for the ceremony will be held at The Crown on Friday, May 2 (at a time TBD). Rehearsal details will be posted here when determined.

Commencement vs. Graduation

A commencement ceremony honors students who have graduated or will soon graduate. It is a time to celebrate the students’ achievements, and for the university to recognize their efforts. However, commencement is a separate process from graduating, and participation in the ceremony does not automatically mean a student has graduated. Official graduation dates (graduation conferrals) are determined when all graduation criteria have been met.

Diplomas

Graduation conferrals will be completed after the commencement ceremony. This means that students who participate in the ceremony will not receive a diploma on the day of the ceremony, only a diploma cover. Diplomas will be mailed within a few weeks of the actual conferral date. Conferral dates will be posted on this website when available.

Participation & Clearances

Participation Form

You must complete the Participation Form to indicate whether you plan to participate and “walk” in the ceremony. Even if you are not planning to participate, you are still required to complete the form. Students may not complete the Commencement Participation Form if they have not first submitted their Intent to Graduate Form. Students who have not submitted their Intent to Graduate Form should consult with their academic and career advisor for guidance.

* Note, this form was emailed to students who submitted a December 2024 and May 2025 Intent to Graduate Form. If you have already completed this form, a confirmation email was sent to your MU email. Do not resubmit your information.

Any changes that need to be made to the information submitted in the form or your attendance at the ceremony must be made no later than April 1 and are to be emailed to [email protected].

Housing & Residence Life

Fall residential graduates have 24 hours after their last final to move out and return their keys. Spring residential graduates have until Noon on May 4, 2025 to move out and return their keys. For questions, contact [email protected].

Library Clearance

More information/details to come.

Student Financial Services Clearance

To have your diploma, official transcript, or other official University documents released, you must have a zero balance on your student financial account. Fall graduates must have their balances cleared by Oct. 20, 2024, and spring graduates must have balances cleared by April 20, 2025. Check the myMU Portal and make any necessary payment. MU staff are here to help you at [email protected].

Commencement Communication

If you indicate that you plan to participate in the ceremony, you will receive frequent email communication to both your student email and personal email addresses on file. Please check your email often.

All communication regarding Commencement 2025 and events leading up to the ceremony will come from [email protected]. Questions regarding the ceremony should be directed to this email address only.

Tickets & Livestream

Tickets are not required for guests and there is no limit on the number of guests who can attend. The ceremonies will be livestreamed on the homepage of the Methodist University web site under “What’s Happening at Methodist.” The broadcast will begin approximately 10 minutes prior to the event’s start.

Event Parking

See the Commencement 2025 Parking Map for information on parking for graduates, faculty/staff, and guests.

Venue Policies

Methodist University is partnering with Crown Coliseum for commencement. This event venue has its own rules that guests are required to abide by. Please take a look at the Crown Coliseum Policies before arriving; in particular, pay attention to the Clear Bag Policy.

Caps & Gowns

Graduates must wear a cap and gown to cross the stage. Graduates and sponsors may not wear jeans, tennis shoes, or hats (other than graduation cap).

Caps and gowns ordering details are forthcoming. Once available, details will be emailed to graduates and posted here.

Graduation Hooding by Sponsors

The hooding ceremony takes place as you cross the stage to receive your diploma. Your sponsor, who holds the hood during the ceremony, will place the hood over your head just before you receive your diploma cover.

Many of our graduates choose a sponsor who has made a positive impact on their time at the University. This includes a parent, child, and even a staff or faculty member. Your sponsor and their relationship to you will be announced as you walk across the stage.

The academic hood is a visual representation of your level of academic achievement and the scholastic degree being conferred. The hood is designed to be worn with the velvet side up and the small, tapered end in the front. The small, tapered end has a cord you may attach to a shirt button to prevent the hood from riding against your neck. The velvet trim represents the learning discipline (major), the chevron represents the college conferring the degree, the lining represents the University, and the black shell is the traditional color determined by the Intercollegiate Bureau.

Hooding Instructional Video

Graduation Cap Decoration

Please take into consideration the following guidelines when decorating your graduation caps (gowns may not be decorated):

• Only the flat, top area of the mortar board may be decorated. There may be nothing hanging down from any of the sides of the cap.
• Decorations must be flat on the surface of the cap. 3-D creations are prohibited.
• No advertisements. No symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons or be of a sexual nature, denote an affiliation with gangs or which advocate violence or hate.

Methodist University reserves the right to confiscate any cap that is not in compliance with the university handbooks, policies, and procedures.

Failure to follow these rules will result in being asked to wear a plain cap provided by the Office of Academic Affairs. Students will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony without caps and gowns.

Baccalaureate: A Moment of Gratitude & Blessing

The Baccalaureate will be seamlessly integrated into Saturday’s commencement ceremony, creating a moment for spiritual reflection by all. A blessing of the academic hoods will be followed by a poignant moment when you (as a graduate) will present the hood to your sponsor recognizing his or her support and guidance throughout your academic journey. The Baccalaureate moment anticipates Commencement, gives honor to God, and celebrates lives dedicated to learning and wisdom.

GradFest

GradFest will take place on April 11, 2025, in the Union-Zukowski Lobby & Gallery in the Reeves Fine Arts Complex (building number 21 on the campus map) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is designed to help graduating students prepare for commencement. At GradFest, you’ll have the opportunity to pick up your cap and gown (if not home shipped), meet members of the Alumni Association, get professional headshots, and complete a career survey. You can also participate in Grads Give Back (see below). Make a donation and receive an exclusive Class of 2025 t-shirt. As an added bonus, the first 150 graduates will receive a meal voucher to a food truck, sponsored by the Methodist University Alumni Association.

Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Whether you’re eager to collect your commencement essentials, enjoy some tasty food, or contribute to a worthy cause, GradFest has something for everyone. Additional details regarding other Grad Events sponsored by the Alumni Office and the Methodist University Alumni Association (MUAA) will be forthcoming and sent from [email protected].

Grads Give Back

In 2014, a group of seniors wanted to leave a lasting legacy at MU. They collected donations from more than 150 graduates and named the new campaign Grads Give Back. Did you know your tuition only covers 75% of the cost for you to attend MU? Donations from alumni and friends of the University filled the gap to make your education possible.

Now it’s your turn! By supporting the Grads Give Back campaign, your gift is your first chance to pay it forward for students at MU. Make a gift and receive your Class of 2025 t-shirt. December 2024 grads will receive a Class of 2024 t-shirt (please indicate you are a December 2024 graduate in the comment section of the donation page).

You can donate online by visiting donate.methodist.edu/grads or make your donation at one of our Grad Events or at the Alumni Office in the Mallett-Rogers House behind the Duggins Soccer Stadium. If you are not in-person this semester and will not be at graduation rehearsal to pick up your t-shirt, please let us know and we can ship a t-shirt to you once you have made the minimum donation.

Questions

For questions about Commencement 2025, please reach out to this email address only: [email protected].