Steps to Graduation Checklist 2020

Students who have not received the Graduation Candidacy Status email by March 30, 2020 may not be eligible to participate in Commencement. Students may only have a maximum of 4 units outstanding to be taken in the summer following Commencement in order to participate in Commencement ceremonies.

The policy for CLEP (and such) exams has changed this year. Student's are no longer eligible to take CLEP exams in the spring term --see page 43 of the 2019-2020 Course Catalog.

Deadlines

December grads - Applications should already be turned in.

May/Summer grads -January 24, 2020
Graduation Applications must be submitted to the Department of your Major, who will primarily evaluate your academic record and grant initial approval for Graduation Candidacy. Each department will directly submit Graduation Applications to the Registrar's Office. Summer 2020 graduates who do not expect to participate in Commencement must follow application deadlines listed above.

Important note: Off-campus transcripts must be received by the Office of the Registrar no later than 45 days after the end of VU’s term to ensure that the degree is recorded in the term indicated on student’s graduation application.

Application

Fill out the application and turn in to the Department of your major.

DOWNLOAD TUG GRADUATION APPLICATION

Deadlines

Students who have not received the Graduation Candidacy Status email by March 30, 2020 may not be eligible to participate in Commencement. Students may only have a maximum of 4 units outstanding to be taken in the summer following Commencement in order to participate in Commencement ceremonies.

Student with more than 3 courses to finish during the summer session immediately following Commencement will not be approved to participate in commencement ceremony.

The policy for CLEP (and such) exams has changed this year. Student's are no longer eligible to take CLEP exams in the spring term --see page 43 of the 2017-2018 Course Catalog.

For off-campus courses taken during the Spring Semester, proof of registration must be provided to your coordinator by February 1st.

Graduation Applications must be submitted to the Department of your Major, who will primarily evaluate your academic record and grant initial approval for Graduation Candidacy. Each department will directly submit Graduation Applications to the Registrar's Office.  Summer 2019 graduates who do not expect to participate in Commencement must follow the application deadlines listed above.

Important note: Off-campus transcripts must be received by the Office of the Registrar no later than 45 days after the end of VU’s term to ensure that the degree is recorded in the term indicated on student’s graduation application.

Application

Fill out the application and turn in to your coordinator.

DOWNLOAD PS GRADUATION APPLICATION

Deadlines

Students who have not received the Graduation Candidacy Status email by March 30, 2020 may not be eligible to participate in Commencement.

** Summer 2019 Masters graduates who do not expect to participate in Commencement must follow the same application deadline listed above.
** All December 2019 graduates should have applied by September 1, 2019.

Application

Fill out the application and turn in to the Department of your major

DOWNLOAD MASTERS GRADUATION APPLICATION

Graduation Info Meeting takes place in the Fall. All information is available here.

Commencement TicketsVanguard University Commencement Ceremonies are ticketed events due to venue capacity. Tickets will be distributed via University Tickets, an online ticket system that we will be using for Friday's Commencement events (Undergraduate and Graduate/Professional Studies Ceremony). Tickets for these events will be issued via an electronic ticket format, similar to Ticketmaster.

• Commencement tickets will be available MARCH 2020 for students that have received an "on-target" letter from the Registrar's Office. Ticket limits will be announced in early March.
• Vanguard student credentials are required to reserve your tickets.
• Tickets are not for resale. Any student found selling or bartering tickets will have all tickets revoked and be removed for graduation ceremonies.

Tickets Per Ceremony

Traditional Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony = 7

Professional Studies and Graduate Programs Ceremony = not required

LOGIN to University tickets

LOGIN: first.last (e.g. Steven.Jones)

PASSWORD: Enter you Vanguard Password

 

RESERVE TICKETS

 

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trouble loggin in?

Please contact you program coordinator to verify your graduation status has been approved.

Issues with email and password please email commencement@vanguard.edu

 

Additional Ticket Request

For additional tickets a wait list will be available within University Tickets ticketing portal. If additional tickets do become available you will be notified via your Vanguard email in late April.

Please do not contact the Commencement Office to request more tickets.

 

alternate viewing options

Due to capacity requirements of the venue an overflow section will be available at Mariners Church on the 2nd floor of the Worship Center to accommodate guests without tickets. Additionally, the event will be broadcast online at www.vanguard.edu/live for families and guest to view the ceremony.

 

Ordering Regalia

 

Ordering Cap and Gown

Regalia will be available for purchase at Grad Fest on APRIL 7, 2020. Students participating in Commencement ceremonies will be required to wear VU approved regalia. Gown length and style may not be altered.

Modest personal embellishments are allowed on the cap, but MUST lay flat and not exceed the height of the center cap button to not block/distract line of site for others. Embellishments cannot extend over the edge, and must be appropriate. Lights are not permitted. Violations of these guidelines will result in removal of cap.

For those unable to attend Grad Fest, regalia can be ordered by emailing the bookstore at stephanie.bunt@vanguard.edu. Shipping cost will be applied.

Regalia can be picked up from the bookstore no later than Monday, May 4, 2020.

 

Cost

Bachelor Degree regalia includes: cap, gown, and tassel. Purchase price is $75.00.

Master Degree regalia includes: cap, gown, tassel and hood. Purchase price is $125.00.

 

>> Special Bundle Pricing at Grad Fest Only <<Announcements and Rings

To order graduation announcements and class rings please visit www.jostens.com

 

Honor CORDS & STOLES

Academic stoles and cords are available for undergraduate students whom are members of the following academic honor societies.

• Alpha Kappa Delta
• Lambda Alpha
• Lambda Pi Eta
• Phi Alpha Theta
• Pi Sigma Alpha
• Psi Chi Pi
• Sigma Beta Delta
• Sigma Tau Delta
• Phi Epsilon Kappa
• Sigma Theta Tau
• Military Service

All other honor cords, stoles or medallions must be approved by the Commencement Office. Unapproved stoles and cords will be subject to removal if worn at Commencement ceremonies.

Vanguard Clubs approved by Inter-Club Council (ICC)

Vanguard University recognizes student involvement as an important component of a student’s experience and we want to encourage student pride in their organizations and university. Club pins provided by ICC may be worn by eligible candidates in good standing, as determined by their club, at commencement. All pins must be approved by the Commencement Office. Club cords, stoles or medallions are not permitted. Policy for Commencement Adornments can be found here.

Grad Fest

 

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020

SCOTT VETERAN'S COURTYARD

12:00pm-6:00p

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Graduate VIP Lounge:: 12:00-2:00pm

DJ, Photo Booth, President and Provost Graduation Toast (1:15pm)

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>> GRAD PACK<<

SPECIAL PROMOTION AVAILABLE AT GRAD FEST ONLY!!

 

Take care of all you graduation needs!

• Caps & Gowns - Pick up your regalia
• Order announcements, rings and diploma frames
• Photo booth - share a celebration photo with your friend #vanguardalumni
• Alumni Merchandise - pick up some alumni swag
• Career Services - take you career outcomes survey!

 

 

arriving at mariners

Graduates arrive for check-in at 9:00am and report to Student Center at Mariners Church. Graduates are instructed to park in the lot off Turtle Ridge and Bonita Canyon Driving (see parking map).

FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY

Following the ceremony graduates will recess from the Worship Center to Mariners lawn. Flags will be assigned by academic program around the perimeter of the lawn so that guests can meet up with their graduates (see flag map).

BACCALAUREATE

Graduates participating in Baccalaureate will wear their CAP with TASSEL and GOWN only. Hoods and stoles are reserved for Commencement ceremony only.

COMMENCEMENT

Undergraduates participating in Commencement will wear their CAP with TASSEL, and GOWN with any honor cords or stoles if applicable.

Graduate students participating in Commencement will wear their CAP with TASSEL, and GOWN with any honor cords or stoles if applicable. HOODS will be carried over the arm as part of the processional. Graduate students will be HOODED during degree conferral.

Dress attire under the academic gown should be fairly formal. Please do not wear jeans or shorts. It is advised that you not wear jackets or heavy clothing. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking, going up and down steps/ramps, and standing. Given the occasion, please do not wear athletic shoes or casual flip-flops.

complete the grad Fest Pre-SurveY

TO INDICATE DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONs OR SPANISH TRANSLATION SERVICES

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

Accessible seating is available at Mariners Church and St. Andrew's Church. Area is reserved for guest with a disability and their family members. General tickets will have access to this section. Please look for accessible seating signs or ask an usher to direct you upon entry. Guests requiring specific requests such as sign language interpreter or assistive hearing devices, are asked to contact Disability Services Office to ensure all accommodations needs are met. To contact please email disabilityservices@vanguard.edu or call 714-619-6550.

TRANSLATION SERVICES

Commencement ceremony will include live Spanish translation service. Translation devices are required to be reserved in advance.

About baccalaureate

Each year, the Vanguard community gathers to celebrate the faithfulness of God and to honor the graduating students with the Baccalaureate Service. The baccalaureate tradition originated in medieval universities from which students were bid farewell with a sermon. Vanguard University honors this rich tradition through music, Scripture readings and a message brought by a student-selected speaker. The service culminates in the celebration of Holy Communion and the investiture of the graduating class. Students participate in a processional in caps and gowns. Family members are welcome to attend.

*Baccalaureate is open to all graduates from the Traditional Undergraduate College and School for Professional Studies. Family and friends of the graduates are also welcome to attend.

 

Event Details and Location

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

9:30 AM

Heath Forum

 

Baccalaureate Instructions

• Please arrive dressed in your regalia.
• Faculty will process in two lines to the front of the sanctuary (following the marshal, those on the platform, and communion servers) and then split to fill in the front sections to the right and left of the graduates’ seating. You will line up on sides by department. The Office of the Provost will have staff assigned to assist you line up.
• Faculty will recess out from both sides beginning with the row closest to the platform, following those seated on the platform

Other notes:

• Select department chairs and the deans will be seated in the front rows as they are communion servers (servers – a separate email will follow with specifics from the Spiritual Formation Department)
• We will have programs at the line-up location when you arrive: please don’t ask the ushers for one!

 

PROGRAM AND SPEAKER

Program: Ceremony will be approximately 1 hours
Faculty Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Powell

Commencement Office Contact Information

 

714.966.5441 | commencement@vanguard.edu

 

Traditional Undergraduate Ceremony

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020

10:00am (Doors open at 9:00am)

Graduates arrive at 9:00am and report to the Student Center

 

LOCATION

Graduation is held at the Mariners Church Worship Center, a beautiful indoor venue located just minutes from the Vanguard University campus. Guests are encouraged to arrive early for preferred seating and to avoid traffic congestion exiting the 73 Freeway.

Tickets are required for all guests entry into the Worship Center. Overflow seating will be available in the Worship Center upper room. No tickets are required to sit in this area.

Mariners Church, 5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine, CA 92603

 

Directions from Google Maps

Campus Map

 

PROGRAM

Commencement Program: the ceremony will be approximately 2 hours
Commencement Speaker: TBD
Commencement Undergraduate Student Speaker: Dr. Dick Foth

 

Instructions

 

• Please arrive dressed in your regalia no later than 9:15 am (Mariners is about a 15 minute drive from campus)
• The campus is large and guests will have arrived already: please leave some time to park and walk to the line-up location!
• Faculty line-up will be at the north end of the worship center. CLICK HERE FOR MAP
• Do not bring any personal belongings with you as there will be not be a place to store them
• Faculty will process in one line following the marshal and those on the platform, faculty parents of graduates, and the Board (all seated in the faculty section)
• You will fill in the reserved seats to the right of the graduates’ seating. CLICK HERE FOR SEATING LOCATIONS
• Faculty will recess out following those seated on the platform, in a single file line beginning with the row closest to the platform
• When you exit the sanctuary please go directly to the flag for your students’ major/program. This will help alleviate congestion as the students and guests are exiting (and will help them locate their flag). A map of the flag locations will be placed in faculty programs and projected on the screen during the recessional.

Other notes:

• As this is a ticketed event, make sure you arrive in your regalia (so you are easily identified as a participant and not a guest) and enter the sanctuary only at the faculty lineup location
• Doors open at 8:30 am for guests

We will have programs at the line-up location when you arrive: please don’t ask the ushers for one!

COMMENCEMENT OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

714.966.5441 | commencement@vanguard.edu

 

 

Professional studies & Graduate Programs CEREMONY

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020

4:00pm (Doors open at 3:00pm)

Graduates arrive at 3:00pm and report to the Student Center.

 

LOCATION

Graduation is held at the Mariners Church Worship Center, a beautiful indoor venue located just minutes from the Vanguard University campus. Guests are encouraged to arrive early for preferred seating and to avoid traffic congestion exiting the 73 Freeway. Tickets are required for all guests entry into the Worship Center. Overflow seating will be available in the Worship Center upper room. No tickets are required to sit in this area.

Mariners Church, 5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine, CA 92603

Directions from Google Maps

Campus Map

PROGRAM

Commencement Program: the ceremony will be approximately 2 hours
Commencement Speaker: Dr. Dick Foth
Commencement Professional Studies Student Speaker: TBD
Commencement Graduate Student Speaker: Joshua Pinto

 

Instructions

• Please arrive dressed in your regalia no later than 3:15 pm (Mariners is about a 15 minute drive from campus)
• The campus is large and guests will have arrived already: please leave some time to park and walk to the line-up location!
• Faculty line-up will be at the north end of the worship center (see here for campus map)
• Do not bring any personal belongings with you as there will be not be a place to store them
• Faculty will process in one line following the marshal and those on the platform, faculty parents of graduates, and the Board (all seated in the faculty section)
• You will fill in the reserved seats to the right of the graduates’ seating (see here for seating locations)
• Faculty will recess out following those seated on the platform, in a single file line beginning with the row closest to the platform
• When you exit the sanctuary please go directly to the flag for your students’ major/program. This will help alleviate congestion as the students and guests are exiting (and will help them locate their flag). A map of the flag locations will be placed in faculty programs and projected on the screen during the recessional.

Other notes:

• Doors open at 2:30 pm for guests

We will have programs at the line-up location when you arrive: please don’t ask the ushers for one!

COMMENCEMENT OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

714.966.5441 | commencement@vanguard.edu