Commencement at the Abbey
Congratulations to our 2021 Graduates!
Commencement Information
- Graduation Application
- Graduation Requirements
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Speaker and Honorary Doctorate Recipient- coming soon
- Campus Parking Map
Commencement Rehearsal
Commencement rehearsal is required in order to participate in graduation. Graduates must attend without exception. If you miss rehearsal, you will not be able to participate in the commencement exercises. Please plan now to take any time off work necessary and/or arrange for child and elder care during that time. Children and other guests may not attend rehearsal.
Graduation rehearsal will be held on Friday, May 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Complete Student Schedule
*All students are required to attend Rehearsal*
Friday, May 13th, 9:00 a.m.
gather on Abbey Lane
- Line up on Abbey Lane and process to graduate seating
- Ceremony Walk-through
- Recessional
Note: Rehearsal will last approximately two hours. Students must stay until the end of rehearsal to receive important information for the next day’s events.
Friday, May 13th, 6:00 p.m.
Cocktail Reception for Graduates & Guests
- Will take place outside on Abbey Lane or inside Haid Ballroom
Saturday, May 14th, 9:00 a.m. (line up 8:30 a.m.)
Baccalaureate Mass
- Line up on Abbey Lane in the same lines as rehearsal
- Caps and Gowns are required for the Baccalaureate Mass
- Do not wear hoods
- In the case of inclement weather line up in Wheeler Center
Saturday, May 14th, 11 a.m. (line up at 10:30 a.m.)
Commencement Exercises
- Line up on Abbey Lane in the same lines as the rehearsal to receive your name card. IMPORTANT: You must take your name card with you to the stage.
- In the case of inclement weather line up in Wheeler Center
Saturday, May 14th, immediately following ceremony
Pick up diploma
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- Students who have met all degree requirements may pick up their actual diploma in Stowe, room 102 The office will remain open until 2:00 p.m. for diploma pick up.
Cap and Gown
Caps and gowns must be ordered through this link: www.OrderHJ.com/BelmontAbbeyCollege. Orders MUST be placed by TBA. The color of your hood is based on your degree. Cost is is $97.92 plus tax. Personalized announcement, rings, and other graduation announcements may also be purchased at this website.
Honors cords are available for student’s who have qualified through the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society may purchase cords for $16.98 in-person at the college bookstore. The bookstore also has generic announcements ($2.50 each) and diploma frames ($170-$180 each). All students obtaining Latin honors will be given an honor cord furnished by the college. Please call 704-461-6819 or email bacbookstore@bac.edu for more information.
Senior Surveys
The Office of Career Services asks all graduating seniors to complete a Senior Survey. Various offices within the University use the information from the surveys to improve student life, career center services, and the overall college experience. Further information coming soon.
Student Tips
- Dress for the ceremony: All graduates must wear a cap and gown to participate in the ceremony. Tassels should be attached to the center of the mortar board (academic hat) and worn hanging on the right side until you are instructed to move the tassel to the left, signifying conferral of the degree. Graduation is a formal academic occasion and should be viewed as such in dress and demeanor. Thus, the academic apparel should not be altered in any way or decorated. Candidates will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony if their academic apparel is altered.
Appropriate dress is expected for graduation day. This means that flip-flops, tank tops and jeans are not appropriate. It is recommended that women wear a dress or skirt and blouse, and that men wear dress slacks and a dress shirt. Comfortable, dark colored shoes should be worn as there will a lot of walking that may even include walking across wet grass. In addition, it is requested that students do not chew gum during the ceremony.
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- Graduation Decorum: Graduation ceremonies are, by their very nature, festive occasions. However, the ceremonies are also marked by seriousness where the actual conferring of degrees signifies long hard work on the part of everyone involved. To that end, students are expected to maintain a measure of decorum consonant with the occasion. In addition, students are expected to return to their seats following the receipt of their tube and to remain seated for the rest of the ceremony. No balloons, banners, or noisemakers are permitted.
Graduation FAQs
Guests: Information will be available soon.
Commencement will be limited to 7 guests per graduate. Tickets will be handed out at the rehearsal on Friday. Tickets will be collected on the day of graduation at the entrance to the college. If you or your guests require special accommodations please contact the Registrar’s Office at 704-461-6733.
Parking: There will be limited parking on campus for guests.
Bookstore Information: The bookstore will be open on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for assistance with regalia and other items.
Class Rings
Class rings may be ordered online. Pricing begins at $380 for women’s rings and $390 for men’s rings. All rings fully customizable.
Graduation Announcement orders
Graduation announcement cards are available for order from Herff Jones. Place orders online.
Diploma Frame orders
Belmont Abbey College Diploma Frames range from $170-$180. They can be ordered ahead of time and picked up in the Campus Bookstore on the lower level of St Leo Hall on Graduation day. Click the photos below to visit the Campus Bookstore website. They can also be ordered and personalized online via Hreff Jones.
