Ready To Graduate?
What's the Difference in Graduation and Commencement?
Class of 2025, your graduation is finally here! Whether you plan to walk during the commencement ceremony or not, please review the important deadlines and graduate checklists below. We welcome Fall 2024 graduates to participate in the 2025 commencement ceremony as well!
After meeting all requirements to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, students are eligible to graduate. Credentials are awarded in December, May and July. Diplomas are mailed to the student in the month following the final semester.
A Graduation Application is required to graduate.
Graduates are invited to participate in a formal Commencement Ceremony held in May of each year. This ceremony is open to all graduates from the current academic year and is held on the Davidson Campus.
- You must register to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
- In order to be eligible to participate in Commencement, you must only have a maximum of two classes needing to be completed after the Commencement Ceremony (for degrees & diplomas only) and must be registered for them in the Summer 2025 session
Commencement Ceremony
THURSDAY MAY 15, 2025
Ceremony Times:
10 a.m. | Arts, Sciences, Business & Technology
2 p.m. | Health Sciences and Workforce & Community Engagement
Important Dates to Help You Prepare
GRADUATION ELIGIBILITY
Confirm through your StormTrac account that your Graduation Application is on file by March 15, 2025.
Cap and Gown
Order your cap and gown by March 27, 2025.
Ceremony Participation
Whether you plan to participate in the ceremony or not, please complete the Ceremony Participation form by April 20, 2025.
Upcoming Events to Help You Prepare
Learn what requirements you need to have complete and steps you need to take in order to graduate. The session will go over all of the checklist items you need to keep in mind in order to successfully complete your program and graduate! Register in advance by clicking on your preferred date below:
Meet with the offices that are essential for you to check-in with before you graduate so you can successfully have your degree conferred. There will be cap and gown representatives, a photography vendor, and more to make sure you have a great commencement experience!
Spring Graduation Fair (Davidson Campus):
March 6, 2025 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Rittling Conference Center
Spring Graduation Fair (Davie Campus):
February 25, 2025 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Davie Campus Admin Building
You’ve applied for graduation and submitted your in-person participation form. Ready to learn what to expect during the commencement ceremony? Be prepared so you have an enjoyable and stress-free event by joining us for one of the sessions below. Register in advance by clicking on your preferred date below:
Before the Ceremony:
- Make sure there is no outstanding balance on your StormTrac account.
- Register for commencement photos. PhotoSpecialties will capture your image as you are receiving your diploma cover as well as a formal portrait with your diploma cover. Proofs will be emailed.
Preparing for your final semester classes:
- Meet with your advisor
- Make sure all graduation requirements will be met by the end of your anticipated final semester.
- Make sure that all anticipated program credentials are shown in your StormTrac.
- After you have registered for all of your remaining courses, complete a Graduation Application.
Final Semester
- Confirm through your StormTrac account that a Graduation Application has been filed. If not, complete your Graduation Application(s).
- Graduation Application Deadlines:
- March 15 for May Graduates
- July 1 for July Graduates
- Nov 1 for December Graduates
- Graduation Application Deadlines:
- Review your name and address on your Graduation Application. The name on your credential will be printed exactly as it appears on the application and will be mailed to the address on the application.
- Make sure there is no outstanding balance on your StormTrac account.