GRADUATION 2020 – Upon review and in accordance with the formal request made to us from the 2020 Senior Class Officers, please note that effective immediately:
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plans for a “live stream” May 10, 2020 ceremony have been discontinued;
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plans for a “live” ceremony – as soon as possible following the lifting of the social distancing ban specific to group meetings – have begun;
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this “live” ceremony and its attendees will include graduates and immediate participants only OR graduates and limited guests, with program participants in accordance both with the venue and official group meeting guidelines.
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In addition, any 2020 Graduate who desires to participate in the 2021 ceremony will also be provided with this opportunity.
Caps & gowns have arrived! You can pick them up at the bookstore, by appointment only.
Below you can find everything you need to know for your graduation weekend. If you need to communicate with your class officers, you should email wauclassof2020@gmail.com.
The University will host its traditional commencement ceremony following the conclusion of the spring semester. Diplomas will also continue to be issued at the end of the summer session and the fall semester, although no ceremonies will take place at those times.
We will provide accommodations, aides, services, or barrier removal. Accommodations are provided upon request with advance notice to Fitzroy Thomas at the Betty Howard Center for Student Success at fthomas@wau.edu.
2020 Commencement Dates:
Consecration: May 8, 2020
Sligo SDA Church, Sanctuary, 7:00pm
7700 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Baccalaureate: May 9, 2020
Sligo SDA Church, Sanctuary, 11:00am
7700 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Commencement: May 10, 2020
Washington Adventist University, Commons, 10:00am
7600 Flower Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Upcoming Class Events & Meetings:
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- Senior Class Meeting – March 23
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- Traditional Students at 11:15am; Wilkinson Hall, Rm 401
- SGPS Students at 5:00pm; Columbia Room
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- Senior Class Meeting – March 23
Upcoming Deadlines:
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- March 16, 2020 is the deadline to order graduation products – Orders placed after this date will incur late fees
- March 30, 2020 is the deadline to satisfy any “I” (incomplete grades) or “DG” (deferred grades).
- March 30, 2020 is the deadline to submit all off-campus grades, official transcripts for transfer credit, CLEP, challenge exams etc.
Graduation Forms:
Degree Completion Letter – Completion Letter Request Form
If you are not able to pick up your diploma or request transcripts due to an outstanding balance, we can provide you a letter of completion verifying degree completion.
In addition, if you are slated to be a Summer 2020 graduate but have finished all degree requirements, we can provide a letter verifying completion of all degree requirements, even though your diploma will be issued after July 31, 2020.
(Out of Country) Invitation letter – Graduation Invitation Letter Request Form
If you have family, friends, or loved ones who are out of the country and wants to travel for the commencement ceremony or pinning ceremony (Nursing students), you can request a letter that will be issued for them to apply for a visa to travel.
Final Transcript Requests – Transcript Request Form
Transcripts verifying degree credentials will be available beginning Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Final transcript request forms must be received by April 22, 2020 in order to be available by Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
Transcripts cannot be picked up on the same day the request is submitted.
Financial Clearance:
Please make sure that you have a zero balance, have been financially cleared, and that you have completed your financial aid exit interviews as applicable to obtain your final official transcripts and diploma. For any information regarding that process contact:
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- Student Financial Services – 301-891-4005 or finaid@wau.edu
- Student Accounts –301-891-4488 or studentaccount@wau.edu
- School of Graduate & Professional Studies (SGPS) – Mr. Frank Scheib 301-891- 4090 or hfscheib@wau.edu
Please Note:
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- Graduation fees are not refundable
- There is a standing graduation fee of $85
- Plus, class dues of $275 – as determined by the senior class
- Preferred method of payment is credit card
Tickets:
No tickets needed this year! Since graduation is on campus, tickets aren’t needed to attend. All are welcome!
Regalia:
Order Your Cap and Gown: http://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_wau/
Students participating in the commencement activities May 8-10, must order regalia.
You can order your graduation announcements and Regalia through Herff Jones. Students will not be able to pick up their regalia until they have been academically and financially cleared. This will happen the week prior to commencement after the semester has ended and final grades submitted.For more information, contact the University Bookstore (regalia cannot be charged to student accounts).
In the event, you do not get academically and financially cleared, you won’t be able to pick up your regalia until after commencement on May 10, 2020.
This video from the Registrar’s Office has some helpful tips about how to wear your regalia:
Hotel Accommodations
If you or your family need a place to stay during the weekend, Washington Adventist University has blocked rooms off at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC – Silver Spring from May 7 – May 11, 2020.
Address:
8727 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910
How to reserve:
You can book online at: https://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/D/DCASSDT-AJU-20200507/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG or over the phone by calling 800-471-6399.
Group Name: WASHINGTON ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY
Group Code: AJU
If making a call-in reservation, you can reference the group code AJU to quickly book a room within the WAU block.
Diplomas
For Spring 2020 graduates – diplomas will be available for pick on May 11 beginning at 10am in the Office of the Registrar (Wilkinson Hall 3rd floor). Only students who are financially cleared can receive their diploma.
*You may designate someone to pick up your diploma on your behalf but we do need a signed letter from you identifying the person who will pick it up.
Diploma Mailing
If you want your diploma mailed – we need a signed document with your signature detailing to which address you want it mailed. Please note that you must be financially cleared to have your diploma mailed.
