Graduation+Info

=Graduation= Graduation Degree/Program Requirements Candidates for Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees must earn a minimum of sixty (60) hours with at least a 2.0 cumulative g.p.a. on all coursework. Certificate graduates must also earn a cumulative g.p.a. of 2.0 on all coursework. Crowder College must provide a minimum of fifteen hours of the final thirty (30) hours. Students in programs certified through the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) must complete at least 12 credit hours from the program’s core technical classes. For multiple degrees or majors see the Glossary of College Terms in the College Catalog.

Graduation Checklist (See Jerri or Lynnae)
Graduation checks must be initiated by the student and are processed in the Record’s Office prior to the semester of intended graduation. Students completing their course work in August or December will be invited to participate in the Fall graduation ceremony. Students completing their course work in May will be invited to participate in the Spring graduation ceremony.

Step One
1. Complete a graduation application in the Records Office per the following dates:
 * • Dec. grads - March 1
 * • May grads - Oct. 1
 * • Aug. grads - March 1

Step Two
2. Pay the graduation fee in the Business Office by:
 * • Dec. grads - Oct. 1
 * • May grads - Feb. 1
 * • Aug. grads – July 1

Step Three
3. Sign up for and take the exit exam (**CAAP** test). Dates for exit exams will be posted in the ARC and on the Crowder College web site.

Step Four
4. Have all outstanding accounts cleared in the Business Office, Library, and Bookstore.

Step Five
5. Students who received Stafford Loan proceeds must complete an exit interview with the Financial Aid Office. It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to monitor graduation requirements and see that all are met. =Caps, Gowns, and Announcements= Cap and Gown orders may be placed online at: www.herffjones.com (There are deadlines for ordering) Tassels can be ordered in the Bookstore. Regalia will be available two weeks prior to graduation. Date, time, and location to be announced. Announcements may be purchased online at www.herffjones.com. The Bookstore sells generic invitations for $1.60 each. Hours of operation are Monday 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Herff Jones Representatives are periodically on campus, for more information on their pricing [|click here]. Graduates can preregister their email, friends and family email addresses and Graduation Images will contact them just as soon as their photos are available for online viewing and ordering.... @http://www.gradimages.com/Register.cfm MAKE SURE YOUR INFORMATION IS CURRENT IN THE RECORDS OFFICE. THIS WILL BE THE INFORMATION GIVEN TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER FOR PROCESSING. INCORRECT ADDRESSES WILL DELAY OR VOID OPPORTUNITIES TO ORDER PICTURES OF GRADUATION CEREMONY. =Receiving Your Diploma= The Records Office will mail the diploma to the graduates approximately ten weeks after graduation. If you have any questions, contact: Dr. Nicole Striegel, (417) 455-5636 Rhonda Helm, Co-coordinators, (417) 455-5664 or Shirley Gray, Records Office, (417) 455-5697. This is your commencement and we will do what we can to accommodate your needs! =In the Event of rain or inclement weather= In the event of rain or inclement weather, the Commencement will still be held in the Crowder College Gymnasium. No processional will occur. Arrive at the Gymnasium before 10:00 a.m. and go to the seating section designated for your degree and be seated. =Parents, Family, and Guests= For the graduates’ convenience, we ask all guests to arrive early to be seated. The commencement will begin promptly! =Parking= Because of limited campus parking we are encouraging our graduates, family, and guests to arrive early. Escorts will be on-site to assist graduates, family, and guests to available parking areas and handicapped parking. =Limited mobility or special needs?= Please contact Christy Manning, (417)455-5733 or Dr. Nicole Striegel, (417) 455-5636, Commencement Co-Coordinators. Guests having limited mobility or special needs are strongly advised to arrive early (at least one hour before the ceremony begins). Allow plenty of time to park, enter the Crowder College Gymnasium and find convenient seating. The admission doors will open at 10:00 a.m. =Graduation Restrictions= Restrictions: Graduates must be properly dressed for the commencement ceremony which includes academic regalia and preferably dress clothes and shoes. Flip-flop shoes, jeans, or revealing white sport socks will not be allowed. The policy of prohibiting the use of alcohol will be enforced. Please consider the importance of this occasion for yourself, your classmates and those who have come to share this day with you. Refrain from including alcohol in your celebration. Students who arrive at the ceremony intoxicated or who use alcohol during the ceremony will be removed from the festivities. Animals: The policy prohibiting animals will be enforced. Pets are not allowed at the ceremony. Students with pets will not be allowed into the ceremony. Graduates with limited mobility or special needs for accommodations please contact Dr. Nicole Striegel, (417)455-5636 or Rhonda Helm (417)455-5664, Commencement Co-Coordinators. Guests having limited mobility or special needs are strongly advised to arrive early (at least one hour before the ceremony begins). Trained assistance animals will be allowed.
 * Graduation Photos**

Cell Phones: Please turn off all cell phones and pagers during the ceremony.
Other: Balloons, camera tripods, air horns, and other items are disruptive to the ceremony and/or obstruct the view of other guests and will not be allowed in. Photographs: Family and friends wishing to take photographs of candidates are requested to do so either from their seats or before the ceremony. Photos may be taken near the stage area after the ceremony. Hearts of America/Chappell Photography will be available if you would like special group photographs. It is disruptive to have numerous people rushing the stage during the presentation of certificates for photographs. Please respect the dignity of the ceremony. To view some of last years photos click here. =Commencement Tips:= The tassel should be moved away from the audience side when approaching the stage. Be sure the tassel is away from your face as you cross the stage. The tassel should be on the right side of the hat. Hair should be styled away from the face so it will not block the camera’s view when crossing the stage. Smile and make eye contact with the presenter when you shake hands. Once in line, graduates will be given a card (and pencil) to PRINT their name and the name(s) of their program(s). If you think the name(s) may be difficult to pronounce, PRINT the name phonetically so it can be easily read. WRITE LEGIBLY! The announcer needs to be able to read this on the stage AND these cards are given to the professional photographer after the ceremony for use in mailing your proofs. Order of Procession: All faculty members and students should report to the Arnold Farber Building at 10:00 a.m. on the day of Commencement to prepare for the processional. A faculty picture will be taken at 10:15 a.m. The stage party will enter **10 minutes** prior to the entry of graduates. As graduates enter all guests will stand and remain standing until the singing of the National Anthem and the recessional of the color guards. The order of the procession: color guards, faculty marshal, faculty and candidates. Faculty: Faculty should report to the Arnold Farber Building at 10:00 a.m. on the day of Commencement to prepare for the processional. Faculty will form two lines during the processional. Faculty will be seated near the stage after the graduates have all entered their seating area. The Neosho High School Color Guards will lead the professional. All graduates, faculty, and guests are to remain standing during the recessional of the color guards and the singing of the National Anthem. Graduates will line up in one line by degree or program. Once in line, please remain in line with your degree to avoid gaps in the procession and equal seating. Candidates will be seated with other students in their degree, on the main floor of the Gymnasium. Stand behind or in front of whomever you wish to sit with. Seating arrangements will be outlined at the rehearsal on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Graduates need to meet in the Farber Building lobby. Please make every effort to attend the rehearsal to avoid any problems on commencement day. The only thing in the graduates’ hands should be their name card. Programs will be available on the seats. The processional lineup will begin at 10:00 a.m. SHARP. =Conferring of Degrees:= At the appropriate time in the program the Dean of Instruction will ask the candidates to rise. After the degree is conferred ushers will direct candidates (by rows) to come forward.

Graduates Crossing the Stage:
Ushers will direct candidates, one row at a time, to the stage. Graduates should not get up before their row has been directed to do so by the usher. You will be visible to every seat in the Gymnasium as you line up. Be quiet while you are in line waiting your turn to go on the stage. Please respect the dignity of the ceremony. Graduate will proceed on the stage. Graduate will present name card to the Dean of Instruction for announcement and recognition of your name and program. =Photographs during the ceremony.= A professional photographer will be taking individual photographs of each candidate as they cross the stage during the ceremony. Family and friends wishing to take photographs of candidates are requested to do so either from their seats or before and after the ceremony. It is disruptive to have numerous people rushing to the stage during the presentation of certificates for photographs. Please respect the dignity of the ceremony. Graduates will cross the stage and be presented with their leather diploma covers by the Crowder College Board of Trustees. Once presented with the leather diploma cover the graduates will cross the stage to shake hands with the Crowder College President, Dr. Alan Marble. Graduates will be directed by the ushers to return to their seats and remain standing until everyone in their row has crossed the stage. The usher will then notify the graduates to be seated. Once all candidates have been presented their leather diploma covers the graduates will be asked to stand. The College President will say a few words and congratulate the graduates and then dismiss the graduates. For more information please contact: Dr. Nicole Striegel, (417)455-5636 Rhonda Helm (417)455-5664