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 2025 includes: 

• Processional 
• Invocation
• Dean’s Welcome 
• Congratulations Remarks from the Provost
• Congratulations Remarks from the Chancellor
• Presentation of Outstanding Faculty and Graduates Awards 
• Student Testimony 
• Recognition of Graduates, Hooding (Doctoral), and Crossing of the Stage 
• Professional Headshots by Grad Images 
• Prayer with Graduates (by Faculty)
• Benediction 
• Recessional
• Reception at the Communications Building Plaza from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

The service will be streamed live on this page at 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 8, 2025. 

Commencement (i.e., graduation) will be held on Saturday, May 10, beginning at 9:15 a.m. ET at the Library Plaza. This ceremony includes all graduates & faculty. Please view www.regent.edu/commencement for more information about the event. 

RSVP BY APRIL 13, 2025

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 10 –  April 13, 2025, the following link will appear in the MyRegent portal (not GENISYS). 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 Graduate Awards	Program Directors Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology Dr. Rachel Stephens Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision Dr. Lisa Compton Master of Science in Nursing in APRN Dr. Jamie Holland Master of Science in Psychology Dr. Jonathan Hoover Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling Dr. Katrina Maxwell RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Dr. Jamie Holland Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management Dr. Jamie Holland
Student Testimony	Genevieve Marie Pacious Maksad Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology Graduate
Recognition of Graduates (Hooding/Prayer)	Dean and Faculty Doctoral Hooding by Dissertation Chairs Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology Program Drs. Linda Baum, Kim Coddington, Fernando Garzon, Cassandra Page, Jennifer Ripley, Rachel Stephens Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision Program Drs. Lisa Compton, Vanessa Kent, Jasmine Knight, Helen Runyan, James Sells, Keith Wilkerson, Cyrus Williams, Olya Zaporozhets Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies Program Drs. Tom Alexander, Wayne Credle, Fernando Garzon, Jessica Guilfoyle, Donna Hurst, Katrina Maxwell, Sha’leda Mirra Doctoral Degrees Commissioned by Department School of Psychology & Counseling Doctor of Psychology Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies Master’s Degrees Commissioned by Department School of Psychology & Counseling Psychology Master of Science in Psychology Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Counseling Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Master of Arts in School Counseling Counseling Ministries Master of Arts in Human Services Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling School of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Master of Science in Nursing Bachelor’s Degrees Commissioned by Department School of Allied Health Bachelor of Science in Gerontology Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management School of Nursing R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
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 7:00 a.m. 

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

Graduates are to arrive at the small field between ADM and CRB by 7:00 a.m. Check-in opens 6:30 a.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 full regalia (robe, hood, mortarboard/cap), except for the 2025 doctoral graduates. Doctoral graduates for 2025, have your hood with you but you will carry it 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. Doctoral candidates will also be hooded during that time. Once you have exited the stage, please follow the direction of the usher to have your individual photo taken. Afterwards, please follow the direction of the usher for prayer with a faculty member, and then return to the next available seat as directed. The service will conclude with 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 must wear all regalia for the service, including caps and gowns. (Doctoral graduates will be hooded 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. Absolutely 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.