2010 Erskine Seminary Graduation Candidate Information

Dear Student:

Congratulations!  You are one of the candidates for Erskine Theological Seminary’s 2010 graduation.  The commencement ceremony will take place at Due West ARP Church (112 North Main Street) on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 4:00 PM. 

You completed a 2010 Graduation Application, which specified your intention for participating in the ceremony.  If your plans have changed and you will not attend the ceremony, you must notify the Registrar in writing no later than April 30, 2010.  It is imperative that we know if you will not be attending.  Please also recall that we require a $35 fee before mailing your diploma.

You should submit outstanding items for your Professional Assessment Portfolio immediately to Ms. Mary Stephens, Admissions Counselor.  The only exception is for requirements from current courses, which you must submit no later than May 12, 2010.  Please contact Ms. Stephens at 864.379.6596 or stephens@erskine.edu with any concerns about fulfilling this graduation prerequisite.

If at any time you received a Stafford subsidized or unsubsidized loan through any lender, please be reminded that you must complete an online exit interview or attend an exit interview on May 3, 2010 at 8:00 AM in Bowie Divinity Hall classroom 12 on the second floor.  Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 864.379.8886 if you have any questions about this federal mandate that you must fulfill in order to graduate.

Students also must pay all fees and other financial obligations to the Seminary no later than April 30, 2010 to qualify for graduation.  If you think you are delinquent in any manner, contact Mrs. Sarah Clark in the Business Office at 864.379.8751 or sclark@erskine.edu. 

All candidates are expected to attend Senior Day academic and exit interviews as well as commencement rehearsal.  You must complete the prescribed exit process, involving written evaluations and group oral interviews on Senior Day.  Candidates from any degree program who are unable to attend Senior Day because of distance should contact Dr. Jerdone Davis, Seminary Director of Institutional Assessment, at 864.379.6554 or jdavis@erskine.edu to make alternative arrangements to complete the exit requirements.

Senior Day Schedule: May 3, 2010

8:00 AM                    
                    Stafford Loan Exit Counseling
                All Candidates
                Bowie Divinity Hall Classroom 12

9:00 AM
                    Prayer and group oral exit interviews
                Master's-level candidates
                Bowie Divinity Hall Classroom 12

9:00 AM
             Individual completion of exit survey
                Doctoral-level and Th.M. candidates
                Bowie Divinity Hall Classroom 13

9:40 AM                  
                     Alumni Presentation
                All candidates
                Bowie Divinity Hall Classroom 12

9:50 AM                   
                    Individual completion of exit survey
                Doctoral-level and Th.M. candidates
                Bowie Divinity Hall Classroom 12

9:50 AM
                    Prayer and group oral exit interviews
                Master's-level candidates
                Bowie Divinity Hall Classroom 12

10:30 AM                                      
                    Commencement Rehearsal
                All candidates
                Due West ARP Church Sanctuary

12:00 PM                   
                     Luncheon for Candidates
                Bowie Arts Center Portico (behind the Seminary)

1:30 PM                     
                     Softball Game:  Senior Candidates vs. Faculty/Staff
                 Erskine College Softball Field (behind Carnegie Women's Dorm)

Remember:

1. All PA portfolios MUST be completed
prior to graduation.
For information regarding your PA portfolio
contact: Mary Stephens at
stephens@erskine.edu. or 864.379.6596

2. All outstanding balances with the
business office must be settled.
For information regarding your account
contact: Sarah Clark at
sclark@erskine.edu or 864.379.8751

3. All key fobs and keys must be turned in.
contact: Robin Broome at
broome@erskine.edu or 864.379.6571

You will receive your academic regalia (caps and gowns only) during commencement rehearsal.  Candidates who cannot be on campus for rehearsal can pick up academic regalia in the basement of Due West ARP Church at 2:45 PM on commencement day.  No unauthorized costume (including clerical robes) or ornamentation shall be worn during the commencement exercises.  Candidates will not be allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies if academic apparel is altered in any way.  Caps are worn flat rather than tilted, with the tip in the middle of the forehead.  Tassels are not worn.  Men should wear white shirts, dark slacks, ties, and dark shoes.  Women should wear suitable apparel and dark shoes.  Jewelry should be conservative.

Please do not bring purses or other items of extra apparel to the church, as you are not permitted to carry or wear them in the Procession, and the church has no place to secure them.

The Seminary will host a reception for you and your guests in the Bowie Divinity Hall lobby from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM on commencement day.  Please note that you must be at the church promptly at 2:45 PM., while your guests may remain at the reception.  This will be a time for refreshment, especially for guests who are traveling long distances. 

Parking at the church is limited, and seating for guests is on a first-come, first-served basis.  The doors will be open to the public approximately one hour before the exercises are scheduled to begin and will be closed immediately after the Procession ends so that the invocation may be given quietly and reverently.  Please notify your guests that they should plan to be seated in the church no later than 3:45 PM.

The Erskine Public Relations Department will take individual and group pictures of candidates prior to the ceremony.  The Seminary’s Student Services Coordinator will send complimentary electronic images of the photos to each candidate approximately two weeks after commencement.

Commencement Schedule: May 15, 2010

2:45 PM
                  Report to the basement of Due West ARP Church to robe in cap, gown, and hood. 

3:00 PM
                  A staff member escorts candidates to the front steps of the church for a  group picture. You may also have an individual picture made                   during this time. Hoods are removed after the pictures and folded neatly over your right arm for the Procession.

3:45 PM
                  A staff member escorts candidates to the side of the church facing the church parking lot to form the Procession. The line                 is formed in accordance with the commencement program. (alphabetically by degree).

4:00 PM         
                 Marshals lead the Procession.  You need only to follow the person in front of you.  Gentlemen should remove caps during the              Invocation and during the Benediction.
 
Remember that being on time is the first step to a memorable occasion.  We look forward to sharing in this celebration and worship service with you and your family!