The graduation exercises for William Carey University May 2021 degree candidates will take place on May 8—17, according to the following schedule. Ceremonies 1-8 will be held at the Hattiesburg campus, in Thomas Auditorium. The location for ceremonies 9 & 10 will be announced at a later time. The times set for each ceremony are subject to change as conditions require. Each graduate will be allowed to have a maximum of four guests. Social distancing and masking requirements will be observed. All plans are contingent upon health and safety guidelines leading up to the commencement dates.
To view the Livestream for Monday, May 17 visit the following links:
5:30 - https://vimeo.com/551576629
7:00 - https://vimeo.com/551577729
Click here to download a copy of the program.
Commencement Instructions for May 2021
Academic Regalia
- If you ordered your regalia already, you will receive an email when the order ships, with tracking information. Shipping is running slow, so please be patient.
- For those who were not able to order their regalia yet, the bookstore will be receiving extra regalia, which you can purchase at the Barnes & Nobles Bookstore according to the following schedule:
- Doctoral Graduates in the May 8 ceremony: you may pick your regalia up at the bookstore from 1:30-5:00 p.m. on May 7, or at 7:45 a.m. on May 8 (prior to the ceremony at 9:30 a.m.).
- Anyone graduating on May 13, 14, or 15 can pick up regalia in the bookstore from 8-5 Monday through Friday. If you cannot come to campus ahead of time, you can pick up your regalia just before your ceremony.
- For the Thursday, 6:00 p.m. ceremony, try to get to the bookstore at 4:30 p.m. so you can get your regalia and check in at the student center to line up at 5:00.
- On Friday and Saturday the bookstore will be open at 7:45.
- Tradition Campus students can purchase their regalia at the Tradition Campus on May 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m..
You can pay for the regalia at the bookstore;
- Bachelor’s $54.98 + tax
- Master’s and Specialist $76.98 + tax
- Doctoral $153.98 + tax
For questions about regalia call the bookstore at (601) 318-6123.
Tickets
Each degree candidate is allowed to have 4 guests and will be issued 4 tickets, which will be distributed as follows:
- Hattiesburg: Students may pick up their tickets in King Student Center beginning Monday, May 10 and continuing through Thursday, May 13.
- Tradition: Students may pick up their tickets in the Business Office beginning Monday, May 10 and continuing through Thursday, May 13.
- For students not able to pick up tickets ahead of time, the tickets will be available:
- Hattiesburg Students: On the front porch of King Student Center prior to each ceremony. You will need to pick up your tickets when you arrive and give them to your family (or other guests) so they can use them to enter Thomas Fine Arts Building for the commencement ceremony.
- Tradition Students: South entrance lobby of First Baptist Church of Gulfport. You will need to pick up your tickets when you arrive and give them to your family (or other guests) so they can use them to enter the west entrance of First Baptist Church for the commencement ceremony.
- Each guest must have the proper ticket (unique to each ceremony) to enter the building. We understand that some graduates have more family members and/or friends who want to see them graduate; however, we must limit attendance and ask your cooperation in doing so.
- The ceremonies will be livestreamed and recorded for viewing from other places and at other times. We will not be providing alternate locations on campus for viewing the livestreamed ceremonies.
Photographs
A professional photographer will be taking pictures that will be available to you, but with no obligation on your part to purchase.
Hattiesburg Campus Commencement Instructions
- Bring a plain, undecorated face mask to wear while on campus throughout the activities described below. You may remove your face mask when you cross the stage to be recognized.
- We will line you up and seat you so as to maintain social distancing, and we ask that you maintain distance from others at other times as you move about on your own.
- Arrive at the campus in time to pick up your regalia at the bookstore in MacMillan Hall and arrive at King Student Center (which is next to MacMillan Hall) one hour prior to the commencement ceremony. At the student center you will:
- Pick up tickets for your guests at a table on the front porch. You might want to let one of your guests come with you that far to get the tickets from you. Guests will not be allowed into the student center.
- Check in at the Registrar’s tables in the lobby of the student center. You will be given a name card that you will carry with you into the ceremony.
- In the large room adjacent to the lobby, you will be seated in the order you will be in for the processional.
- The Student Marshal, Dr. Tim Glaze, will give you instructions for the processional, the commencement ceremony, and the recessional.
- Glaze will lead you in the Processional from the student center to Thomas Fine Arts, into the auditorium, and onto the stage, where you will be seated.
- Glaze will prompt you for when to stand, move to the front of the stage, give your name card to the presenter, and then cross the stage to receive your diploma cover.
- After the ceremony, Dr. Glaze will lead you in the Recessional—off the stage, out of the building, and back to the student center, where you will pick up your diploma.
ALL UNIVERSITY HOLDS MUST BE CLEARED BEFORE THE STUDENT’S DIPLOMA CAN BE MAILED!
