Commencement

The University of Mount Union is pleased to announce that it will once again live stream the institution’s Graduate and Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies. An email with the live stream access link will be sent out just ahead of Commencement Weekend and you may share that link and/or email with other individuals who may be unable to attend the ceremony.

The McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex facilities are handicap accessible. On the day of the event, there will be an area clearly marked for handicap parking and security will be directing traffic. It is also possible to pull up close to the area for drop off to the Peterson Field House. Shuttles and golf carts will be available throughout campus to assist guests as well.

Sign-language interpreters will also be on-site during the ceremony.  Please inform the Office of Alumni Engagement if you have a guest requiring special accomodations so that special seating can be arranged.

Following Commencement, the Office of Marketing will send out news releases announcing each student’s accomplishment of graduating from the University of Mount Union. The news releases will be sent via Merit, a system that sends releases quickly and efficiently to students’ newspapers based on their geographic location (zip code).

Students will be copied via email (Mount Union email address) on this news release. And, he or she can easily share it on social networking sites such as Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Please note that the Office of Marketing will send out a hometown news releases for each student (unless the student has chosen to decline this publicity effort), but that does not guarantee that the newspapers will print the releases. All material is printed at the discretion of the newspapers.

We hope that each senior eligible for graduation will participate in the day's events. However, we realize that there are circumstances that prevent some of our graduates from participating. If you cannot attend the ceremony, we will mail your diploma to the address listed in Self-Service.

Students are recognized at graduation for superior academic achievement. Latin Honors recognition is signified by "honors cords" added to their academic regalia; honors cords are distributed by the Office of the University Registrar during the mandatory Commencement Rehearsal the Friday before Commencement.

The following Latin Honors are based upon the grade point average achieved during the full college career at Mount Union. Grade point averages are based upon a 4.0 scale. Students achieving a grade point average of 3.899 or better are awarded their degrees summa cum laude signified by the gold honors cord, students achieving a grade point average of 3.750 to 3.899 are awarded their degrees magna cum laude signified by the silver honors cord, and students achieving a grade point average of 3.550 to 3.749 are awarded their degrees cum laude signified by the white honors cord.

In addition, honors recognition is granted to students who show superior achievement in special honors programs. Students graduating with Honors in the Major will receive a red honors cord; students graduating with University Honors will receive a purple honors cord.

Students are recognized at graduation for superior academic achievement. Latin Honors recognition is signified by "honors cords" added to their academic regalia; honors cords are distributed by the Office of the University Registrar during the mandatory Commencement Rehearsal the Friday before Commencement.

The following Latin Honors are based upon the grade point average achieved during the full college career at Mount Union. Grade point averages are based upon a 4.0 scale. Students achieving a grade point average of 3.899 or better are awarded their degrees summa cum laude signified by the gold honors cord, students achieving a grade point average of 3.750 to 3.899 are awarded their degrees magna cum laude signified by the silver honors cord, and students achieving a grade point average of 3.550 to 3.749 are awarded their degrees cum laude signified by the white honors cord.

In addition, honors recognition is granted to students who show superior achievement in special honors programs. Students graduating with Honors in the Major will receive a red honors cord; students graduating with University Honors will receive a purple honors cord.

Graduates may wear only one professionally made stole or sash representing a recognized Mount Union student organization with which they are affiliated, or, in the case of an international student, a stole recognizing their home country. If you have more than one stole, you will be asked to remove it. You may wear a second sash or stole underneath your robe for after the ceremonies.

Organizations providing cords for graduates are requested not to select cords with colors representing University issued honors, such as Latin honors (gold, silver, white, red or purple). Variegated tassels with these colors are a good alternative.

No political or badges representing particular issues or causes may be worn on the gown or cap. Graduates are asked to respect the views of others and to afford this milestone in their life the respect it is due.

Graduates are reminded that while graduation exercises are a time of celebration for the graduates and their families, the occasion is also a formal ceremony that requires appropriate, traditional dress. Slippers and flip-flops are not appropriate. Men traditionally wear long slacks and a collared shirt, and women typically wear slacks or a dress/skirt.

If you have questions regarding the sashes, stoles, or cords, please contact Dr. Mark Himmelein, the University Marshal, at himmelm@mountunion.edu

Students who are expected to graduate during a calendar year, regardless of conferral date, may participate in the commencement ceremony in May of that calendar year. For example, students expected to graduate in May, August, or December of a calendar year, not academic year, may participate in the May commencement of that calendar year. Students expected to graduate in December will have the option to participate in the current commencement year or the subsequent commencement year to align with their original “cohort.”

Students who participate in the May commencement ceremony as “walkers” must submit a Request to Walk form and will not graduate until their actual conferral date. During the period of time between completion of all requirements and the date the degree is awarded, students may request a Certificate of Completion to accompany a transcript.

In order to participate in any commencement ceremony, students must complete an application for graduation submitted to the University Registrar by the deadline set forth by the Office of the University Registrar. Students who do not complete an application for graduation may not be permitted to participate in the commencement ceremony. Students must be considered as Senior standing to be eligible to participate. The University of Mount Union defines Senior standing as having earned 90 or more credit hours toward the 120-credit hour graduation requirement. A student may only participate in one commencement ceremony.

Please note: Latin Honors designations will not be listed in the Commencement program.