College of Arts & 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 we 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 commissions our graduates to take their training into the world and make a difference for Christ.

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

• Dean’s welcome
• Charge from our Founder and Chancellor, Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson
• Presentation of Outstanding Student Awards
• Formal reading of graduate names and walking across the stage
• Faculty prayer and anointing of graduates
• Professional headshots by Grad Images

The service will be streamed live beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Commencement (also known as graduation) will be held Saturday, May 6, beginning at 9:15 a.m. ET at the Library Plaza. This ceremony includes all graduates and faculty. Please view www.regent.edu/commencement for more information regarding Commencement.

You must RSVP for both the Commencement and Commissioning ceremonies. To RSVP for this event, please visit your personalized MyRegent portal. Within GENISYS under Student Services, you will be able to communicate your participation by completing the survey in the Commencement & Commissioning RSVP option no later than Friday, April 14, 2023.

Click here to view the Regent campus map.

Area hotels: https://www.regent.edu/student-life/student-housing/area-hotels/

REHEARSAL

There will be a rehearsal on Wednesday, May 3, at the Library Plaza at 10 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

Friday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. EST, at the Library Plaza.  Graduates will be sent an email with instructions to check in with the Faculty Marshall with your particular row and seat number. Faculty Marshalls will be located on the left side of the front of the Administration Building (#3 on the map). Please arrive no earlier than 6:00 p.m. dressed in your full regalia— cap, gown, and tassel. You are welcome to invite as many family and friends as you wish; no tickets required.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

All undergraduate students receiving an associate or a bachelor’s degree or a MS in Cybersecurity, except for students in Healthcare and Nursing, will participate in the CAS Commissioning. Students graduating in Healthcare and Nursing will attend the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Commissioning.

REGALIA

Regalia is required for all graduation ceremonies. Regalia orders may be placed online through our trusted partner Oak Hall no later than Friday, April 14, 2023.  

For students who ordered their regalia to be shipped to Regent University, regalia must be picked up on campus at the Student Center. Graduates must present their picture ID to pick up their regalia (caps, gowns, and tassels) in the Fountain View Room of the Regent Ordinary. Click here to 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 may not alter or decorate their regalia, including caps.

ATTIRE & DECORUM

Graduates must wear all regalia for the service, including their caps, gowns, and any University-provided Honors regalia. Gentlemen should wear button-down dress shirts and ties with dark trousers and dress shoes. Ladies should wear a dress, a skirt or dress pants and comfortable dress shoes. Please note that this service will involve extensive standing, walking across uneven brick pathways, and walking upstairs. Absolutely no sneakers, jeans, or t-shirts are permitted. Please be advised that men will need to remove their caps during prayer.

CEREMONY DECORUM

As a Regent University College of Arts & Sciences graduate, we trust that your participation in the Commissioning Service will reflect the dignity, decorum, and gracious order that a ceremony of this nature requires. You will be guided in correct protocol throughout the ceremony by listening to directions from the Master of Ceremonies at the service. Always follow the specific directions of the ushers and staff. Further, please refrain from any of the following disruptive/disrespectful behavior:

• Talking or cheering at inappropriate times
• Changing seats or needlessly moving
• Using cell phones or other mobile technology for any reason
• Any other activities that would infringe upon other graduates’ enjoyment of the ceremony

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.

There are no ticket restrictions; therefore, physical tickets are not necessary.

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