Commencement

Commencement ceremonies are held twice a year (in May and December). Students graduating in the summer are invited to participate in the December commencement.

Each graduation begins with a Hooding Ceremony and Baccalaureate Mass, followed by a Commencement ceremony. Students may choose to participate in both programs, or just take part in the Commencement ceremony. Students wishing to forego participate in both ceremonies will be notified when their diploma is ready to be picked up by the Registrar's Office. Diplomas can typically be picked up about 6-8 weeks after completion of your courses.

Graduation Application
Students preparing to graduate will need to submit a Graduation Application Form before:

Ceremony
The fall graduation ceremony for Alvernia College is being held on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2008. The program will begin with a Baccalaureate Mass at 10:00 am in the Physical Education Center and degrees are conferred during the Commencement Ceremony at 2:00 pm which will be held in the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA. All graduates should plan to arrive approximately one hour before each event to robe and line up in the appropriate manner. Baccalaureate lasts approximately one hour and Commencement lasts almost two hours.

If you plan to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, a $100.00 graduation fee payable to Alvernia College is due by Friday, Novemeber 21, 2008. Please enclose in the postage paid reply envelope. You may also use the enclosed credit card authorization. This fee covers the cost of your academic attire (which you keep after the ceremony), the reception food, programs, and your diploma. Any student who does not order their attire by the deadline of Friday, October 17, 2008 will be charged a late fee of $25 to participate in spring Commencement. This additional fee will be used to cover the late charge that the cap & gown company charges Alvernia College.

If you're not planning to participate in Commencement you are NOT responsible to pay the commencement fee. Also, you are notified by the Registrar’s Office when your diploma is ready to be picked up. This should be about 6 weeks after the fall term is over.

Academic Attire
All Academic Attire orders must be completed by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2008. After this date, the website will close and you will need to contact Betsy Stiles to order your attire. A late fee of $25.00 will be charged for all late orders.

Academic attire ordered by the deadline of Friday, October 17, 2008 is available for pick up during exam week. Look for more information to be mailed to your home. Pick-up locations vary:
• Main campus undergraduate day students ~ pick-up in Bernardine Hall 1107
• Main campus Master degree students and Continuing Studies Students ~ pick-up in the Upland Center.
• Philadelphia campus student (Master’s and Bachelor’s) ~ will be shipped to your home.
• Schuylkill center students (Master’s and Bachelor’s) ~ will be shipped to your home.

Tickets
Tickets are not required for the Baccalaureate Ceremony in the Physical Education Center. Students participating in Commencement will receive eight (8) tickets for admittance to the Sovereign Center. You do not need a ticket for yourself; only for your guests (this includes babies and children). Students who are not participating in the Baccalaureate and Commencement do not receive any tickets.

At times there are extra tickets available; please contact Betsy Stiles at Betsy Stiles if you wish to be placed on the extra tickets list. Tickets are needed for admission to the Sovereign Center for all guests.

Announcements & Class Rings
Class rings and announcements may be ordered directly through Jeff Crouse, the Herff Jones representative.  You can visit the web site at www.herff-jones.com/college for more information or to purchase.  Sample class rings are located in the Alvernia College Bookstore. 

Click here for current Commencement information

Questions?
Feel free to contact Betsy Stiles or 610-796-5504 with your Commencement questions.