Commencement
Join Criswell College in celebrating the graduating class of 2024. Our Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. There is no limit on the number of guests per graduate for commencement.
- Doors open in Ruth Chapel at 9:30 a.m.
- Silence or turn off phones.
- Photography is allowed. Please do not interfere with the ceremony or the official photographer.
- Bird St. will be closed to traffic to allow for gathering with family and friends after commencement in nice weather. Gathering will occur in the gym in the event of inclement weather.
Handicap Entrance:
A handicap ramp can be accessed through a gate off Bird St. between Ruth Chapel and Wallace Library on the east side of the building.
- The commencement ceremony is considered a worship experience, as well as an opportunity to recognize our graduates for their achievements. We encourage our guests to be mindful of other graduates and their guests.
- To ensure the safety of all in attendance, guests are not permitted to stand in the aisles, entrances, or exits of Ruth Chapel during the ceremony.
- Commencement services run approximately one hour. Small children may find it difficult to remain quiet for this extended period of time. Should a child become disruptive, parents are requested to take the child outside of the sanctuary.
Graduate Information
Graduates will meet in room E208 before commencement on Saturday, May 11 at 8:45 a.m. to don regalia, take individual/class photos, line up, and receive any last-minute instructions.
- Caps and gowns have been ordered according to the information provided on the graduation application and will be distributed by appointment during the week prior to commencement. If you do not receive your regalia beforehand, you may pick it up at the rehearsal.
- Regalia must be turned in before you leave campus after commencement. The location designated for regalia return is the Student Lounge.
The following recommendations are for both the class/individual photos and for commencement:
- The mortarboard (cap) should rest flat on top of the head with the point down on the forehead (not on the back of the head or tilted to either side).
- Men: Collared dress shirt (white is preferable), dark slacks, dark dress shoes (no sandals, tennis shoes, or flip-flops). Ties are optional.
- Women: Dark dress or a blouse with dark slacks/skirt (no capris) and dark dress shoes or dress sandals (no tennis shoes or flip-flops).
- Rehearsal for the ceremony will begin on Friday, May 10 at 4 p.m. in room E208. Students should arrive at 3:45 p.m.
- The rehearsal will include preliminary instructions, regalia information, processional instructions and walk-through, and an overview of the commencement program and degree conferral practice. For this rehearsal, please bring/wear the shoes that you will be wearing during the commencement ceremony.
Recessional
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the graduates followed by the platform participants will exit Ruth Chapel. Guests will be asked to remain seated until all graduates have exited the building. Graduates will have the opportunity to greet family and friends at a post-commencement gathering on Bird Street (if inclement weather, the gathering will be held in the gym).
Graduate Banquet
The Graduate Banquet will be in Horner Hall after the rehearsal, from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
The Graduate Banquet will be held on Friday, May 10 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Graduates may invite up to 5 guests to attend the banquet. There is no cost for graduates, but the cost per guest will be $15. The banquet will be held in Horner Hall. Graduates will receive an email from the Director of Hospitality and Events with information about how to register and make payment for the banquet.
Physical Accommodations
- Drop-off: Campus east gate on Bird St.
- East gate ramp leads to Ruth Chapel (marked by a yellow star in the graphic below).
- Parking: Free handicapped parking along Bird St.
- Exit: East doors of Ruth Chapel (the only exit/entrance without steps)
