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School of Communication & the Arts Commissioning Ceremony

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COMMISSIONING CEREMONY DETAILS

Thursday, May 2 | 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
Campus Location: Shaw Chapel
Participants: SCA Master’s and Doctoral graduates, faculty and guests.

Graduates receiving an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or a M.S. in Cybersecurity, except for students in Healthcare and Nursing, must attend the CAS Commissioning Friday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. on the Library Plaza.

DOCTORAL DEDICATION DETAILS

Thursday, May 2 | 4:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. ET
Campus Location: Communication Building, Screening Room A (COM 145)
Participants: SCA Doctoral graduates, guests and faculty.
RSVP Stacey Reed at sreid@regent.edu by April 15.

Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024.

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 family and friends.

To commission someone is “to entrust, or to give authority” or “to appoint or assign to a task or function.” Within the context of our graduation, Commissioning is a sacred and holy time of worship, consecration, reflection, prayer, and anointing.

This event will prayerfully commission you to serve the world as a Christian leader in your chosen field. The schedule includes:

  • Dean’s welcome
  • Presentation of Outstanding Student Awards
  • Formal reading of graduate names and walking across the stage
  • Formal hooding of graduates
  • Faculty prayer and anointing of graduates
  • Professional headshots by Grad Images
  • Reception at the Communications Building Plaza from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The service will be streamed live beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 2.

Commencement (also known as graduation) will be held Saturday, May 4, beginning at 9:15 a.m. EST on the Library Plaza. This ceremony includes all graduates and faculty. Please view www.regent.edu/commencement for more information regarding Commencement.

Please RSVP for both the Commencement and Commissioning ceremonies whether you plan to attend or not. To RSVP for these events, please visit your MyRegent portal, select the Student tab at the top and scroll down to the My Account portion where you will be able to communicate your participation by completing the survey in the “RSVP for Commencement & Commissioning” option. Please RSVP by Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Click here to view the Regent campus map. Area hotels: https://www.regent.edu/student-life/student-housing/area-hotels/

*Processional – “God of Our Father”Faculty and Graduates
Student Marshals: Nicola Tressler & Julia Lauto
*WelcomeDr. Simon Tarr
Director, School of Communication & the Arts
*InvocationDr. William Brown
Professor, Communication Studies
Introduction of SpeakerDr. Simon Tarr
Commissioning AddressNathan Todd Sims
President/CEO, Fusion Productions
School of Communication & the Arts Alumnus
Outstanding Graduate AwardsDr. Simon Tarr
Hooding of the GraduatesDr. Simon Tarr
Reader: Dr. Stephen Perry
Professor, Communication Studies
Alumni InductionMs. Claire Foster
Executive Vice President of Advancement & Enrollment
*Closing Hymn- “Great is Thy Faithfulness”All Sing
Dr. Michael Hill-Kirkland, accompanied by Ms. Sylvia Chapa
*Benediction & Final CommentsDr. Simon Tarr
*Recessional – “Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise”Ms. Sylvia Chapa

*Please stand.

REHEARSAL

There will be a rehearsal on Tuesday, April 30 in the Shaw Chapel at 9:30 a.m. It is highly recommended that you attend if you are local. Come as you are. We will be finished in about 30 minutes.

CEREMONY

Thursday, May 2 at 12:00 p.m. ET in the Shaw Chapel. Graduates will be sent an email with instructions and ceremony procedures. Graduates are requested to line up no later than 11:30 a.m. on the Chapel Plaza outside in front of Shaw Chapel. You are welcome to invite as many family and friends as you wish; no tickets required. Doors will open for guests at 11:30 a.m. for first-come seating.

Regalia

Regalia is required for all graduation ceremonies. Regalia orders may be placed online through our trusted partner Oak HallOrder dates deadline to ship to Regent University is March 24 and to ship to your home is March 31.

For students who ordered their regalia to be shipped to Regent University, regalia must be picked up on campus at the Welcome Center before 5:00 p.m. Graduates must present their picture ID to pick up their regalia (caps, gowns, and tassels) in the Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177. Click here to view the Regent campus map.

Pick up Regalia

Tuesday, April 30; 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

Wednesday, May 1; 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

Thursday, May 2; 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

Friday, May 3; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

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 may not alter or decorate their regalia, including caps.

DRESS CODE

As this is a special occasion and you will be standing on stage, men should wear dress pants. Women should wear dress pants, a skirt or a dress. All graduates should wear dress shoes (heels or flats). Please do not wear jeans, tennis shoes or flip-flops. Females are not to bring handbags. Do not bring a purse or drink as you cannot take items on stage, and you will not return to your original seat.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

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

Please keep in mind, there is no cost, tickets, or guest limit to attend the School of Communication & the Arts Commissioning Ceremony.

For any accommodation or accessibility questions or concerns, please email disabilities@regent.edu or call at 757.352.4485.

Contact Margie Ackerman at mackerman@regent.edu for questions about the School of Communication & the Arts Commissioning Ceremony.