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. Faculty also pray over the graduates and anoint them as part of commissioning. Therefore, this is a solemn ceremony held in the Shaw Chapel 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 2023 includes: 

• Processional 
• Invocation 
• Opening Hymn 
• Dean’s Welcome 
• Congratulations Remarks from the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs 
• Presentation of Outstanding Faculty and Graduates Awards 
• Faculty Reflection 
• Student Testimony 
• Recognition of Graduates, Hooding (Doctoral), and Crossing of the Stage 
• Prayer of Commissioning with Graduates (by Faculty) 
• Professional Headshots by Grad Images 
• Alumni Induction 
• Benediction 
• Recessional 

The service will be streamed live on this page at 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 5, 2023. 

Commencement (i.e., graduation) will be held on Saturday, May 6, 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 1, 2023

Students are required to RSVP for both the Commencement Ceremony and the Commissioning Ceremony. Students can RSVP through their GENISYS account in the MyRegent portal (Select > Student Services > Commencement & Commissioning RSVPs to complete the prompts).

This Module will allow you to RSVP separately for Commissioning and Commencement to let the University and your College know you will attend the ceremonies, and how many guests you plan to bring with you.

Students are encouraged to RSVP as soon as possible, which will allow CHBS leadership to estimate a more precise headcount for attendance and planning purposes (e.g., expected usage of overflow space, etc.) 

Graduates and guests should enter Regent University through the Centerville Turnpike entrance and park in Lot L (see campus map). The Shaw Chapel doors will open for guests at 3:15 PM. 

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 Divinity Building & Welcome Center (located next to the Shaw Chapel) by 3:00 p.m. Remember to allow enough time to find a parking space. You will be directed by an usher to the designated room location for line up by degree program. 

Come dressed in full regalia (robe, hood, mortarboard/cap), except for the 2023 doctoral graduates. Doctoral graduates for 2023, 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. You will then have an opportunity to receive prayer from a CHBS Faculty member before exiting the stage. Once you have exited the stage, please follow the direction of the usher to have your individual photo taken. Afterwards, please return to the next available seat as directed by the usher.  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. 

PICKING UP REGALIA

Students who ordered their regalia to be shipped to Regent University must pick up their regalia 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. 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. 

Graduates must wear all regalia for the service, including caps and gowns. 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 Dr. Carletta Artis, cartis@regent.edu, 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

Here is a List of area hotels: https://www.regent.edu/student-life/student-housing/area-hotels/