Undergraduate Commencement Checklist

An honor reserved solely for graduates (both undergraduate and graduate students) is selecting this year’s Great Teacher, which will be announced at Honors Convocation on Tuesday, April 23. Access the nomination form and view a list of eligible teachers. Please take a moment to nominate your favorite professor!

As a way to “pay it forward”, the 2024 Class Officers invite you to join fellow members of your graduating class in making a BIG difference at Mount Union with a contribution to this year’s Class of 2024 Gift.

SCHOLAR Day offers you the opportunity to spend a day learning about undergraduate and graduate research projects completed by Mount Union students. The day includes the Honors Convocation at 11:30 a.m. in the Timken Gymnasium.

Caps, tassels, and gowns are required for Honors Convocation. Line-up is at 11:15 a.m. in the Peterson Field House. Parents are invited to attend the day’s events.

Tickets for Mount Union’s 2024 Commencement Weekend ceremonies will be available for students to pick up at the GradFest event on Tuesday, April 16. Students must have their Purple Plus ID or other form of photo ID to claim their 10 complimentary tickets.  

If a student is not able to attend GradFest, tickets will be available in the Office of Alumni Engagement (first floor, Beeghly Hall) beginning April 17 during regular business hours (8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday. Students must have their Purple Plus ID or other form of photo ID to claim their tickets.

Each guest will be required to have a ticket to enter the Peterson Field House. Tickets will be collected upon entering and are only for the graduate’s designated ceremony. Adults and children over the age of 2 must have a ticket. No extra tickets will be distributed. If a student needs more than the allotted number of tickets given, we encourage them to check with classmates for any available tickets.

Graduates are encouraged to claim their tickets well in advance of Commencement Weekend. Tickets will not be available at the door. 

Please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at (330) 823-2030 with any questions.

In accordance with the policy of the University, all financial accounts of candidates for graduation must be paid before Commencement clearance can be given to the faculty. Without this clearance, a graduate will not be permitted to pick up a cap and gown at GradFest in April, participate in Commencement exercises, or receive a diploma. This will also prevent transcripts from being released. 

The comprehensive deposit that was paid as a first-year student will be refunded as soon as the institution receives final charges from all University activities. This is usually in midsummer. This amount should not be deducted in clearing a graduate's account for graduation. Graduates are welcome to donate their deposit to the Class of 2024 Gift.  Information regarding the donation of your deposit will be emailed to you periodically throughout the remainder of the semester. 

Graduates should make arrangements to have any outstanding balances on their accounts paid in full by April 9, 2024. Graduates taking out a loan to cover balances need to apply now so the funds will be received by the deadline date. Those with questions concerning their balance may contact the Office of Business Affairs – Student Accounts at (330) 823-6554 or at billing@mountunion.edu.  

Attend this mandatory event on April 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym of the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex. VISIT OUR “ONE STOP SHOP” FOR 2024 GRADUATES!

If you are unable to attend GradFest, you may pick up your cap and gown from the University Store beginning April 18 through May 11 (graduation day). Your Purple Plus ID or other form of photo ID is required.

During GradFest, you may take advantage of a free professional portrait sitting. Please remember to dress in preparation for this sitting (professional wear). The professional portrait sitting only takes a few minutes to complete and is beneficial for resumés, social media, business cards, employment, and announcements, etc. View, choose, and order portraits from Cockrill's Studio online.

Pick up your complimentary cap and gown at GradFest or at the University Store in the Hoover-Price Campus Center (with Purple Plus ID) beginning April 18. If you are unable to visit campus during the semester, caps and gowns will also be available on May 10 and the morning of May 11 at the University Store.

Also, order your graduation announcements and University class ring. All rings are discounted! For information on class rings and graduation announcements, please visit Jostens online or call (800) 854-7464.

Learn of ways to utilize the Office of Career Development resources after graduation.

Get answers about your financial aid and graduation, including loan repayment and Direct Loan Exit Counseling. If you borrowed federal student loans during your time at Mount Union, please complete your required exit counseling at studentaid.gov. 

The Lavender Celebration is named for the century-long significance of the color lavender in the LGBTQIA+ Community.

The event will be held at 5 p.m. in Brush Performance Hall of Giese Center for the Performing Arts.

University of Mount Union’s graduating LGBQIA+ Students will receive a stole and pins representing how they self-identify. Following students receiving their recognition, students, family, and friends are welcome to gather in the Gallaher Black Box Theatre for refreshments.

Checklist: In order to participate in the celebration(s) with a sash and pin:

• Please complete this form before April 25, 2024.
• Arrive 15 minutes before the celebration for the lineup.
• If you have a final scheduled at this time, please contact Bryan Boatright by April 15.

The Multicultural Celebration honors our multicultural, first-generation, international students, and veterans, who aren’t simply walking across the stage for themselves, but also walking for generations of family, friends, and allies who enabled them to get to this achievement as well as walking to inspire their siblings, family, and friends.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Brush Performance Hall of Giese Center for the Performing Arts.

University of Mount Union’s graduating Multicultural, First-Generation, and Veteran Students will receive a stole and pins representing how they self-identify. Following the ceremony, students, family, and friends are welcome to gather in the Gallaher Black Box Theatre for refreshments.

• Black/African American
• Hispanic/Latinx American
• Indigenous/Native American
• Asian/Pacific Islander/Desi American (APIDA)
• MENA (Middle East and North Africa)/SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa)
• International 
• First Generation 
• Veteran

Checklist: In order to participate in the celebration(s) with a sash and pin:

• Please complete this form before April 25, 2024.
• Arrive 15 minutes before the celebration for the lineup.
• If you have a final scheduled at this time, please contact Bryan Boatright by April 15.

You are invited to attend the graduate lunch before Commencement rehearsal. The complimentary lunch will be held from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Kresge Dining Hall. Please stop by at your convenience.

Commencement rehearsal is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the Timken Gymnasium of the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex. It is helpful for graduates to attend this rehearsal to understand the line-up and processional process, which ultimately makes Saturday run smoother. Cap and gown are not required at rehearsal. Latin honors, University honors, and honors in the major cords will be distributed at rehearsal.

If you are unable to attend, you must speak to the University Marshal for instructions by emailing himmelm@mountunion.edu. 

Baccalaureate is a non-denominational worship event designed to help us stop, reflect and give thanks for all that brought us to this point and pray for the future ahead of us. Baccalaureate will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Dewald Chapel (graduates will line up at 6 p.m. in Campus Grounds in HPCC). Enjoy a special performance by graduating members of the Mount Union Concert Choir along with guest speaker Rev. Daniel Bogre. Please wear the tassel on your hat with your regalia at Baccalaureate. Parents and family are encouraged to attend Baccalaureate.

The luncheon will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Kresge Dining Hall. This optional buffet is offered for families the day of Commencement. All reservations are required by May 6. The cost is $15.50 for adults, $8 for children ages 4 to 10, free for children 3 and under, and free for 2024 graduates.

Luncheon Menu

Registration

The Undergraduate Student Commencement Ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m in the Peterson Field House of the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex. Students line up at 1 p.m. in the Timken Gymnasium.

Generally, allow two hours for the ceremony. Please refrain from posting signs, distributing literature, or using horns, whistles, bells, or loud-sounding objects that might interfere with the dignity of the program. 

Guests may not reserve seating in advance. Doors for the Commencement ceremony will open at noon. The University is not responsible for any items left behind. 

Cockrill’s Studio will be on location on Commencement Day to photograph graduates as they receive their diplomas. Commencement and diploma photographs will also be placed on their secure website for viewing and purchase. Please contact Cockrill’s Studio if you have questions – 670 W. State St., Alliance, OH 44601 (located in Lingefelter Centre), (330) 821-8303, cockrillsstudio.com.  

While you will receive your diploma cover at the Commencement Ceremony, your actual diploma will be available for pick-up between May 20 and May 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Office of the University Registrar (Beeghly Hall). A photo ID will be required to pick up your diploma. Diplomas not picked up by May 31, 2024, will be mailed to the graduate's home address on file beginning on June 3, 2024. Please note that the campus will be closed on Monday, May 27 due to the holiday.