College of Health & Behavioral Sciences Commissioning Ceremony

Congratulations! You have made it to graduation! We are excited that you have decided to join us for our Commissioning Service and look forward to meeting your families and friends.

Commissioning is a sacred service dedicated to worship, prayer, and anointing. Commissioning means “to grant authority,” “to entrust,” or “to appoint or assign a task or function.” This special ceremony authorizes our graduates to take their training into the world and make a difference for Christ. It signifies that students leave from their training and preparation at Regent to go out into the world to advance God’s Kingdom on this Earth.

During this ceremony, graduates are being commissioned by their faculty and CHBS leadership to step into the call that God has placed on their lives. This is a solemn ceremony held at the Library Plaza at Regent University. This event will prayerfully commission you to serve the world as a Christian leader in your chosen field.

Schedule

The schedule for CHBS Commissioning 2026 includes: 

• Processional 
• Invocation
• Dean’s Welcome 
• Congratulations Remarks from the Provost
• Congratulations Remarks from the Chancellor
• Presentation of Outstanding Faculty and Graduates Awards 
• Recognition of Graduates, Hooding, and Crossing of the Stage 
• Professional Headshots by Grad Images 
• Prayer with Graduates (by Faculty)
• Benediction 
• Recessional
• Reception at the Communications Building Plaza from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The service will be streamed live on this page at 6:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 8, 2026. 

Commencement (i.e., graduation) will be held on Saturday, May 9, beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET at the Library Plaza. This ceremony includes all graduates and faculty. Please view www.regent.edu/commencement for more information about the event. 

RSVP BY APRIL 5, 2026

Students are required to RSVP for both the Commencement Ceremony and the Commissioning Ceremony. Once approved to do so by the Registrar, within the RSVP window from February 5 – April 5, 2026, the following link will appear in the MyRegent portal. Students must log into their MyRegent portal, select the Student tab at the top of the portal, and scroll down slightly to locate the below RSVP for Commencement & Commissioning:

Students are encouraged to RSVP as soon as possible once the RSVP window is open, which will allow CHBS leadership to estimate a more precise headcount for attendance and planning purposes.

Processional*
Invocation	Dr. Fernando Garzon Associate Dean, College of Health & Behavioral Sciences
Welcome and Opening Remarks	Dr. Anna Ord Dean, College of Health & Behavioral Sciences Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies
Introduction of Provost	Dr. Anna Ord
Congratulations Remarks	Dr. William Hathaway Provost
Introduction of Chancellor	Dr. William Hathaway
Congratulations Remarks	Gordon Robertson Chancellor, Regent University
Presentation of Outstanding Faculty Award	Dr. Anna Ord
Presentation of Outstanding Graduates	Dr. Anna Ord
Posthumous Degree Acknowledgement and Moment of Silence	Dr. Jessica Guilfoyle
Recognition of Graduates (Hooding/Prayer)	Dean and Faculty
Benediction	Dr. Cassandra Page
Recessional*

*Please stand.
No photography is permitted in the aisles. Thank you for your consideration.

Graduates and guests should enter Regent University through the Centerville Turnpike entrance and park in Lot L (see campus map). Seating will open for guests at 5:00 p.m.

Children are welcome, but please consider that this is a religious/sacred service that will last over an hour. Strollers and similar equipment are not permitted in the aisles and on walkways.

Graduates are to arrive at the area between the Administration (ADM) and Classroom (CRB) Buildings by 5:00 p.m. Check-in opens 4:30 p.m. Remember to allow enough time to find a parking space. You will be directed by an usher to the designated location for line up by degree program. 

Come dressed in your regalia, without hood. Have your hood with you though. You will carry your hood on your arm during the processional. You will be hooded during the ceremony.

During the name announcing portion of the ceremony, you will cross the stage and shake the dean or associate dean’s hand. Once you have exited the stage, follow the directions of the usher to have your individual photo taken. Afterwards, follow the guidance of the usher for prayer with a faculty member, and then return to the next available seat as directed. The ceremony concludes with the recessional.

No picture taking will be permitted in the aisles. This is a special occasion, and each graduate deserves the respect and attention of all who are present. It is greatly appreciated that you make your guests aware of this policy. Purchasing details regarding photos taken will be sent to you by Grad Images. Please check your email accordingly.

Students who ordered their regalia to be shipped to Regent University must pick up their regalia on campus in the Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177. Graduates must present their picture ID to pick up their regalia (caps, gowns, and tassels). View the Regent campus map.

The Registrar’s staff will only release regalia to someone other than the graduate if they have received prior written consent from the graduate at registrar@regent.edu. Graduates must send this written consent from their Regent email account. Graduates not attending the Commissioning Service may pick up their regalia the morning of Commencement, beginning at 8:00 a.m.; however, they are strongly encouraged to pick up their regalia in advance.

Graduates wear regalia for the service, caps and gowns. Also, graduates must have their hoods with them for hooding takes place during the ceremony. Gentlemen should wear button-down dress shirts and ties with dark trousers and dress shoes. Ladies should wear a dress, skirt or dress pants and comfortable dress shoes. Please note that this service will involve extensive standing and walking downstairs. No sneakers, jeans, or T-shirts are permitted. Please be advised that men will need to remove their caps during prayer.

Graduates will not be permitted to carry anything—including purses, bags, umbrellas, or cameras—into the ceremony. Graduates should leave all their belongings in their vehicles or with their guests. There is no place to store belongings before or during the service. Regent University is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.

Contact Lynnette Harris for questions about the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences Commissioning Ceremony.

Please send all questions regarding commencement to commencement@regent.edu. Commencement representatives are now available to answer your questions.

View the Regent campus map and area hotels.