School of Communication & the Arts 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 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 and invocation
• Message from the Chancellor
• Commissioning Address
• Presentation of Outstanding Student Awards
• Formal reading of graduate names and hooding
• Faculty prayer and anointing of graduates
• Professional headshots by Grad Images
• Reception at the Communications Building Plaza from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

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The service will be streamed live on this page at 12:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 8.

Commencement (aka graduation) will be held Saturday, May 9, beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET 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, please log into your MyRegent portal and select Student Tab – My Account. You will need to select and complete the RSVP For Commencement & Commissioning Survey by Sunday, April 5, 2026.

View the Regent campus map and area hotels.

*Processional	Faculty/Student Marshals: Ryen Stone & Lauren McMullen
*Welcome	Dr. Joshua McMullen Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
*Invocation	Dr. Bill Brown Professor, Journalism & Communication Studies
Introduction of Speaker	Dr. Joshua McMullen
Commissioning Address
Outstanding Graduate Awards	Dr. Stephen Perry Professor, Journalism & Communication Studies
Message from our Chancellor (VIDEO)	Gordon Robertson Chancellor, Regent University
Hooding of the Graduates	Dr. Joshua McMullen
*Closing Hymn – “Great is Thy Faithfulness”	All Sing Dr. Joan Pi Assistant Professor, Music & Worship Arts
*Benediction & Final Comments	Dr. Joshua McMullen
**Recessional

*Please stand.
**Please stand and permit the faculty and graduates to exit before family and guests.

Dean McMullen cordially invites you and your guests to attend the
School of Communication & the Arts Commissioning Reception
at the Communication Building Plaza
immediately following the ceremony
from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

There will be a rehearsal on Wednesday, May 6 in the Shaw Chapel at 10:00 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.

Arrival

Graduates will be sent an email with instructions and ceremony procedures. Graduates are expected to check in at the table outside behind the Divinity Building (#7 on the campus map) by 11:00 a.m. dressed in full regalia—gown and hood. (DO NOT BRING YOUR HAT AS WE WILL BE INSIDE.)

Parking

Parking will be available across campus, but we encourage you to park in the Communication Building parking lots (lots K and L on the campus map). View the Regent campus map.

Regalia is required for all graduation ceremonies. It is recommended to order regalia as soon as possible. Online ordering will open on February 5, 2026. Regalia orders may be placed online through our trusted partner Oak Hall. Order dates deadline to ship to Regent University is March 22 and to ship to your home is April 5.

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

Pick Up Regalia

• Tuesday, May 5; 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 6; 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 7; 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, May 8; 7:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

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 on May 9, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177 and then at the regalia station near the student line-up from 3 p.m.; however, they are strongly encouraged to pick up their regalia in advance.

Graduates must wear all regalia for the service, including gowns and hood. DO NOT BRING YOUR HAT. Gentlemen should wear button-down dress shirts with dress pants and dress shoes. Ladies should wear a dress, skirt or dress pants and dress shoes. Please do not wear jeans, tennis shoes or flip-flops.

Graduates will not be permitted to carry anything— including purses, bags, umbrellas, or cameras— into the ceremony except for the program. Small purses and cameras can be placed under regalia. Graduates should leave all belongings in their vehicles or with their guests. There is no place to store belongings before or during the service. You will not be returning to your original seat once you have walked across the stage. Regent University is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings. Children will not be allowed to process with the graduates.

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 757.352.4489.

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