Graduation Central

Nursing Pinning Ceremony 2020

2020 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Sunday, August 9, 2020 – 11:00am

Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church

7700 Flower Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912

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IMPORTANT UPDATES BELOW

As you may know, Montgomery County announced an updated directive that no more than 50 can gather inside or outside. So we have had to make adjustments to our process for Sunday’s Commencement Ceremony. Please see the updated processes for Sunday below:
9:00am Check-In – 1st Floor Lobby at front doors. Check-In Team will have a list with your names and you will be able to pick up your WAU Mask.
9:30am Class Picture – Once you check-in, you will be asked to wait outside, on the Commons for the class picture. You may be broken up into groups, so make sure to listen for directions.
10:00am Name Cards at Check-In Tables – After the class picture, please come back into the front lobby to obtain your name card. These are in order alphabetically by last name. Please do not lose this card. This is what will be used to read your name from for the degree conferral. Once you receive your card, please see below where you will need to go to lineup.
10:15am LINEUP IN 2 GROUPS (SEE ORDER BELOW)
               LOBBY GROUP – ANU SUKARA, SARA DEVARAJ, SONNY MORETTA, LESLEY  MCLAURIN, EMMANUEL FORTIN, MA, MBA, MS, BA, BM
            
               DINING HALL GROUP – BS GRADUATES
 
10:45AM LOBBY GROUP PROCESSES TO SLIGO CHURCH FIRST, DINING HALL GROUP PROCESSES AFTER
11:00am Processional Begins Down Middle Aisle
               Lobby Group follows Platform Participants – Class Officers take seats in front row as before. MA, MBA, MS, BA, BM Graduates please continue on around the front into the Atrium to be                       seated.
               Dining Hall Group follow Lobby Group but will be directed to take seats inside the Sanctuary as reviewed in our meeting on Wednesday.
CONFERRING OF DEGREES – Lobby Group seated in the atrium will rise and follow Marshals to a holding pattern while Bachelor of Science Graduates receive their degrees. Once each BS Graduate has received their degree, please process to the back of the church and into the Atrium where you will then be seated. MA, MBA, MS, BA, and BM Graduates will then receive their degrees in the opposite order listed. And once each graduate has received their degree, they will then be seated in the Sanctuary.
***DIRECTIONS FOR PLATFORM WALK***
 
-Walk up the stairs
-Hand your name card to Dr. Williams at podium
-Obtain degree holder from Registrar
-Acknowledge the President with a slight bow – no hand shaking
-Stop for picture with degree holder – you can take your mask off for this if you wish, but please place it back over your face once the picture has been taken
RECESSIONAL – ALL GRADUATES WILL EXIT THE CHURCH THROUGH THE BACK – GREENWOOD AVE. DOOR. We will take the Atrium group out first to walk through the Gateway, and then the Sanctuary group afterwards.
We understand this may be a bit confusing, but it works to be the best solution for this new directive that we could find. As a special note, here will be hand sanitizer at both ends of the platform for your desired use. Please contact our office if you have any questions beforehand – provostoffice@wau.edu. We thank you for your patience and resilience as we have had to make so many adjustments to adhere to these new rules. You are valued and we are excited to celebrate with you on Sunday. PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME IN REGALIA!!!

Caps & gowns have arrived! You can pick them up at the bookstore, by appointment only. 

To make an appointment, please email ylloyd@wau.edu or call (301) 891-4484, and arrange a time for safe pick-up.
—

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 Date:

Commencement: August 9, 2020

Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church – 11:00am

7700 Flower Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912

Commencement Day Details:

***IMPORTANT UPDATES****

  • 9:00am Check-In – 1st Floor Lobby at front doors. Check-In Team will have a list with your names and you will be able to pick up your WAU Mask.
  • 9:30am Class Picture – Once you check-in, you will be asked to wait outside, on the Commons for the class picture. You may be broken up into groups, so make sure to listen for directions.
  • 10:00am Name Cards at Check-In Tables – After the class picture, please come back into the front lobby to obtain your name card. These are in order alphabetically by last name. Please do not lose this card. This is what will be used to read your name from for the degree conferral. Once you receive your card, please see below where you will need to go to lineup.
  • 10:15am LINEUP IN 2 GROUPS (SEE ORDER BELOW)
               LOBBY GROUP – ANU SUKARA, SARA DEVARAJ, SONNY MORETTA, LESLEY  MCLAURIN, EMMANUEL FORTIN, MA, MBA, MS, BA, BM
            
               DINING HALL GROUP – BS GRADUATES
 
  • 10:45AM LOBBY GROUP PROCESSES TO SLIGO CHURCH FIRST, DINING HALL GROUP PROCESSES AFTER
  • 11:00am Processional Begins Down Middle Aisle

Lobby Group follows Platform Participants – Class Officers take seats in front row as before. MA, MBA, MS, BA, BM Graduates please continue on around the front into the Atrium to be                       seated. 

Dining Hall Group follow Lobby Group but will be directed to take seats inside the Sanctuary as reviewed in our meeting on Wednesday.

CONFERRING OF DEGREES – Lobby Group seated in the atrium will rise and follow Marshals to a holding pattern while Bachelor of Science Graduates receive their degrees. Once each BS Graduate has received their degree, please process to the back of the church and into the Atrium where you will then be seated. MA, MBA, MS, BA, and BM Graduates will then receive their degrees in the opposite order listed. And once each graduate has received their degree, they will then be seated in the Sanctuary.
***DIRECTIONS FOR PLATFORM WALK***
 
-Walk up the stairs
-Hand your name card to Dr. Williams at podium
-Obtain degree holder from Registrar
-Acknowledge the President with a slight bow – no hand shaking
-Stop for picture with degree holder – you can take your mask off for this if you wish, but please place it back over your face once the picture has been taken
RECESSIONAL – ALL GRADUATES WILL EXIT THE CHURCH THROUGH THE BACK – GREENWOOD AVE. DOOR. We will take the Atrium group out first to walk through the Gateway, and then the Sanctuary group afterwards.

Important Items to Remember:

  • All graduates will be given WAU masks to wear for uniformity.
  • ALL GRADUATES must have their hoods already placed over their heads. This includes Graduate students, as there will not be any hooding this year in accordance with social distance guidelines.
  • Families are asked to remain in their cars and watch the live stream from their personal devices. A link will be forthcoming. NO FAMILIES/FRIENDS WILL BE ALLOWED INSIDE THE CHURCH.
  • Restrooms for families & friends will be located on the 1st floor of Wilkinson Hall. Sligo Church restrooms are designated for Graduates and Participants only.
  • Please wear comfortable shoes and respect the sanctity of the sanctuary.

 

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:

Please Note:

    • 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 are needed this year or for future graduation events, which will take place on the Washington Adventist University campus.

 

Regalia:

This video from the Registrar’s Office has some helpful tips about how to wear your regalia. Please note that this year only, Graduate students will not be hooded and must be prepared with their hoods already in place.

 

Diplomas

Diplomas will be mailed to each Graduate this year. If you have not already done so, please email Dr. Reginald Garcon at rgarcon@wau.edu to share which address you would like your diploma sent to.

Previous Graduations:

WAU Commencement – Sunday May 5th, 2019 – 10am

WAU Commencement – Sunday, May 6th, 2018 – 10am