Graduate Commencement Checklist

An honor reserved solely for graduates (both undergraduate and graduate students) is selecting this year’s Great Teacher, which will be announced at Honors Convocation on Tuesday, April 22. Access the nomination form and view a list of eligible teachers. Please take a moment to nominate your favorite professor!

As a way to “pay it forward”, the 2025 Class Officers invite you to join fellow members of your graduating class in making a BIG difference at Mount Union with a contribution to this year’s Class of 2025 Gift.

In accordance with the policy of the University, all financial accounts of candidates for graduation must be paid before commencement clearance can be given to the faculty. Be certain to pay any account balances with the Office of Business Affairs and the University Library before April 9. 

If you are a graduate student, we would like to remind you that, in accordance with the policy of the University, all financial accounts of candidates for graduation must be paid in full before Commencement clearance can be given to the faculty. Without this clearance, you will not be allowed to pick up your cap and gown in April, participate in Commencement or receive your diploma. This will also prevent your transcripts from being released. Please plan to have any outstanding balance on your account paid in full by April 8. If you are taking out a loan to cover this balance, you need to apply now so the funds will be received by the deadline date.

Your final 1098T forms will be available by January 31, 2026. Self-Service will still be open to you to retrieve your 1098T if you have enrolled to receive electronically. You have the option to remove your consent and receive via us mail. Please make sure your home mailing address is up to date, and make sure you make this selection prior to graduation.  

If you are a physician assistant studies graduate, you will participate in the Commencement ceremony in May. However, you have an academic summer session left in the new tax year. If you plan to use loans to cover this summer session, you are required to complete a FAFSA for the 2025-2026 year. 

If you have any questions concerning your balance or tax forms, please contact the Office of Business Affairs – Student Accounts at (330) 823-6554 or at billing@mountunion.edu. Thank you for your cooperation.

Attend this event on April 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym of the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex. VISIT OUR “ONE STOP SHOP” FOR 2025 GRADUATES!

If you are unable to attend GradFest, you may pick up your cap and gown from the University Store (located in the Hoover-Price Campus Center) beginning April 17 through May 10 (starting at 9 a.m., graduation day). Your Purple Plus ID or other form of photo ID is required for pick-up. Graduate students can request their cap and gown be delivered to their home address by emailing bookstore@mountunion.edu by April 25, 2025.

During GradFest, you may take advantage of a free professional portrait sitting. Please remember to dress in preparation for this sitting (professional wear). The professional portrait sitting only takes a few minutes to complete and is beneficial for resumés, social media, business cards, employment, and announcements, etc. View, choose, and order portraits from Cockrill's Studio online. If you are unable to attend GradFest to take advantage of the free professional portrait sitting, please call Cockrill’s Studio at 330-821-8303 to schedule an appointment. 

If you borrowed federal student loans during your time at Mount, please complete your required exit counseling at studentaid.gov.

SCHOLAR Day offers you the opportunity to spend a day learning about undergraduate and graduate research projects completed by Mount Union students. The day includes the Honors Convocation at 11:30 a.m. in the Timken Gymnasium. 

Caps, tassels, and gowns are required for Honors Convocation. Line-up is at 11:15 a.m. in the Peterson Field House. Family members are invited to attend the day’s events.

The Lavender Celebration is named for the century-long significance of the color lavender in the LGBTQIA+ Community.

The event will be held at 5 p.m. in Brush Performance Hall of Giese Center for the Performing Arts.

University of Mount Union’s graduating LGBTQIA+ Students will receive a stole and pins representing how they self-identify. Following students receiving their recognition, students, family, and friends are welcome to gather in the Gallaher Black Box Theatre for refreshments.

Checklist: In order to participate in the celebration(s) with a sash and pin:

• Please complete this form before April 24, 2025.
• Arrive 15 minutes before the celebration for the lineup.
• If you have a final scheduled at this time, please contact Bryan Boatright by April 15.

The Multicultural Celebration honors our multicultural, first-generation, international students, and veterans, who aren’t simply walking across the stage for themselves, but also walking for generations of family, friends, and allies who enabled them to get to this achievement as well as walking to inspire their siblings, family, and friends.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Brush Performance Hall of Giese Center for the Performing Arts.

University of Mount Union’s graduating Multicultural, First-Generation, and Veteran Students will receive a stole and pins representing how they self-identify. Following the ceremony, students, family, and friends are welcome to gather in the Gallaher Black Box Theatre for refreshments.

• Black/African American
• Hispanic/Latinx American
• Indigenous/Native American
• Asian/Pacific Islander/Desi American (APIDA)
• MENA (Middle East and North Africa)/SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa)
• International 
• First Generation 
• Veteran

Checklist: In order to participate in the celebration(s) with a sash and pin:

• Please complete this form before April 24, 2025.
• Arrive 15 minutes before the celebration for the lineup.
• If you have a final scheduled at this time, please contact Bryan Boatright by April 15.

Commencement rehearsal is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the Timken Gymnasium of the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex. It is helpful for graduates to attend this rehearsal to understand the line-up and processional process, which ultimately makes Saturday run smoother. Cap and gown are not required at rehearsal. 

If you are unable to attend, you must speak to the University Marshal for instructions by emailing himmelm@mountunion.edu. 

Baccalaureate is a non-denominational worship event designed to help us reflect and give thanks for all that brought us to this point and pray for the future ahead of us. Baccalaureate will begin at 6:30 pm. in Dewald Chapel (graduates will line up at 6 p.m. in Campus Grounds in HPCC). Enjoy a special performance by the Mount Union Concert Choir along with guest speaker Bishop Hee-Soo Jung. Please wear the tassel on your hat with your regalia at Baccalaureate. Parents and family are encouraged to attend Baccalaureate. 

The luncheon will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Kresge Dining Hall. This optional buffet is offered for families the day of Commencement. All reservations are required by May 5. Registration, luncheon cost, and menu will be available soon. 

The Graduate Student Commencement Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m in the Peterson Field House of the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex. Students line up at 9:30 a.m. in the Timken Gymnasium.

Generally, allow one hour for the ceremony. Please refrain from posting signs, distributing literature, or using horns, whistles, bells, or loud-sounding objects that might interfere with the dignity of the program. 

Guests may not reserve seating in advance. Doors for the Commencement ceremony will open at 9 a.m. The University is not responsible for any items left behind. 

Cockrill’s Studio will be on location on Commencement Day to photograph graduates as they receive their diplomas. Commencement and diploma photographs will also be placed on their secure website for viewing and purchase. Please contact Cockrill’s Studio if you have questions – 670 W. State St., Alliance, OH 44601 (located in Lingefelter Centre), (330) 821-8303, cockrillsstudio.com.  

While you will receive your diploma cover at the Commencement Ceremony, your actual diploma will be available for pick-up between May 19 and May 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Office of the University Registrar (Beeghly Hall). A photo ID will be required to pick up your diploma. Diplomas not picked up by May 30, 2025, will be mailed to the graduate's home address on file beginning on June 2, 2025. Please note that the campus will be closed on Monday, May 26 due to the holiday.