Commencement

All students must Apply to Graduate through Self-Service Banner [SSB] at least one semester prior to graduating. An application can be completed for up to two degrees and/or certificates. Students applying for more than two degrees/certificates must go through the Records Office.

It is your responsibility to make sure that all grade change forms, course substitutions, transfer credits, and incompletes are recorded in the Records Office prior to graduation. Petitions are only valid for the semester applied. If the requirements are not met during that term, the student must reapply for the new expected graduation term.

After completing the application, you should run a degree audit through SSB. The Records Office will perform an official degree audit, but this may take many weeks depending on when it is received. Degree audits will be completed for each student in the order received. You will be notified by email when the official degree audit is completed. The audit will indicate any courses still needed to complete your program requirements. Questions regarding degree audits and or missing requirements may be directed to an academic advisor.

Commencement provides recognition to those students who are expected to meet the College's requirements for graduation.

Students shall meet the following criteria in order to participate in commencement and be included in the commencement program:

• Complete and submit a graduation application.
• A student's graduation application must have an approved audit with pending completion status.
• The published commencement program will include the following terms:
  • Fall and Spring graduates of the current academic year.
  • Summer graduates from the prior Summer term that were not included in the prior academic year's program.
  • Summer graduates from the following Summer term that have met number 2 by the completion of Spring Break during the current academic year.

This information is available in lieu of Commencement rehearsal.

Commencement will occur on May 5, 2023. 

General Instructions
Commencement is in the evening of May 5, 2023. 

Candidates will follow the direction of the graduation marshals who will guide you to the Student Activities Center. Candidates will have a calling card which lists their name, major, and honors. Graduation marshals will direct you when to approach the stage. You will hand your calling card to the speaker. The name of each candidate will be announced and each candidate will proceed to the middle of the stage for a picture with the President and/or Vice-President of Academic Affairs. Along the way, they will be handed a diploma/certificate cover. Candidates should pause for a moment for the photographer to capture your picture and then follow the guides to your seat and be seated.

After all students have processed across the stage and have been seated, the ceremony will be continued. Finally, candidates will be asked to stand for the conferring of degrees. Candidates will change their tassels from right to left.

Guest limitations are subject to change based on CDC guidelines; however, at this time there are no limits on the number of guests that may attend to support their graduate candidate. Tickets are not needed for guests.

Graduation honors for Commencement are based on Fall Semester grade point average (GPA). In order to check your current GPA status, please log onto your Student Portal. Grade point averages are not rounded up for honors. Your diploma will have honors recorded based on your final semester GPA.

Honor Classification	Cumulative Grade Point Average
summa cum laude	3.90-4.00
magna cum laude	3.75-3.89
cum laude	3.50-3.74

All certificate earners are required to wear a blue gown. You need to purchase your gown in the College Store. The cost is $30 plus tax.

All degree graduates are required to wear a blue cap and gown with the appropriate tassel. You need to purchase your cap, gown & tassel in the College Store. The cost is $40 plus tax. If you have earned honors, the honor cord(s) will be given to you when you purchase your cap & gown.

Please note honors recognized for the ceremony are based on your cumulative GPA at the end of the prior Fall term.

College Store hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and regular Friday's 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Graduation announcements and gift items are also available for purchase in the College Store. The College Store will be open from 1:00 - 9:00 p.m. on the Friday of Commencement for your convenience. Commemorative Commencement T-Shirts, bouquets, and teddy bears are available for purchase at this link: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/terra/

The College has arranged for a photographer to take your photo as you accept your diploma cover at the Commencement Ceremony. There is no charge to you and you will receive a complimentary 5" x 7" color print when you receive your diploma. The ceremony will be available through a live streaming broadcast; check Terra State's social media pages on Commencement Day for the link.

We are offering these services in order that your family and friends may enjoy the ceremony. Please advise that only the graduates will be permitted to approach the stage and surrounding area. Please inform your guests that if they need to leave during the ceremony they may do so by the doors on either side of the stage. After the ceremony is completed, the graduates will exit first.

Candidates and guests requiring special handicapped accommodations due to a disability please contact the Record's Office at 419.559.2405 or recordsdept@terra.edu.

The commencement ceremony will last about one hour. There will not be a rehearsal for the ceremony. Please follow the directions of the graduation marshals who will be there to guide you at the ceremony.

Candidates should arrive thirty minutes before the ceremony time with their caps and gowns. Please do not bring coats, umbrellas, purses, or other items of extra apparel with you, as you are not permitted to carry or wear these during the procession.

You will check in at the table in the atrium in Building E. You will pick up your calling card and follow the directions of the graduation marshals. After the ceremony, follow the marshals to a designated receiving area where faculty will congratulate you.

A reception for graduates and guests will be immediately following the ceremony in the atrium of Building B.

Terra State Community College awards and distributes diplomas/certificates three times per academic year. We have one commencement ceremony in May. It normally takes up to 4 weeks following Commencement for diplomas and certificates to be available. Participating in the commencement ceremony does not constitute graduation. You will receive your diploma or certificate cover at the commencement ceremony.

 

Fall Diplomas and/or certificates will be ready for pickup January 18^th through January 31^st. All remaining diplomas and certificates that have NOT been picked up will be mailed to the permanent address on file after January 31^st. Students can update their address in Banner Self-Service up until the day diplomas are mailed. To receive your diploma/certificate you must have a zero balance on your account and all library materials returned.

Final grades posting usually take 2-3 weeks after the semester ends. Degree/Certificate posting to your transcript may take longer than 3 weeks to process. If you are requesting a transcript, please be sure to select “hold for graduation” when completing the request.