Info for Families & FAQs
Questions? Please refer to the FAQs below or email commencement@carthage.edu.
What date and time will my student walk across the stage for the Red Carpet Procession?
The School of Business & Economics, Natural & Social Sciences Division, and the Arts & Humanities Division will be processing on Saturday, May 18th. The Professional Studies Division will be processing on Sunday, May 19th.
Graduates were notified about their specific Red Carpet Procession time in February 2024. Graduates should check their Carthage email for this information. If graduates have not yet received this communication, please email commencement@carthage.edu.
When will Commencement activities be held for the Class of 2024?
Commencement for the Carthage Class of 2024 will be held over three days: Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19. See the full schedule of events
How can students pick up their caps and gowns?
All cap and gown orders can be picked up during the Grad Fair on Thursday, April 25 in the Campbell Student Living Room. If students cannot pick up their regalia on April 25, they may visit the bookstore during regular business hours. Visit the bookstore’s website for their business hours.
Who can participate in the 2024 Commencement activities?
Students who graduated in summer 2023, December 2023, or after the spring 2024 term will participate in the Class of 2024 Commencement on May 17-19.
What do 2024 graduates need to do next?
Graduates of the Class of 2024 need to complete the Grad Gear Up Form to confirm their graduation status, complete exit forms, and order caps and gowns. Completing this form is necessary for graduation and must be completed by March 18, 2024. Students and families can also visit the Steps to Graduate page for more information on deadlines and next steps.
Will parents and families be seated during Commencement activities?
Parents and families will have the opportunity to attend the Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 17th, which will be a seated event. This ceremony will include the procession of graduates, band and choral performances, remarks from Carthage’s president, faculty, distinguished alumni, and senior speaker, and the conferring of degrees.
On Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, parents and families will remain with their graduates through the extended march and procession leading to the graduation stage. Along the way, graduates, parents, and families will be able to stop at “graduation stations” and participate in fun activities like being welcomed into the alumni association, receiving honor cords, walking the red carpet, having their photos taken, and much more.
For family members unable to attend, will there be a live stream?
Yes. All Commencement programming will be streamed on Carthage’s website.
Do infants and small children need tickets?
Yes. As in years past, all individuals count as ticketed guests regardless of age.
Are tickets needed for Commencement activities?
Time slots for the Red Carpet Procession were sent to graduates through their Carthage email accounts in February. Each student has also received eight Commencement Procession tickets for guests. If graduates have not received their slot time by April 1, they can contact commencement@carthage.edu.
Tickets for the Commencement Ceremony were sent in March to graduates through their Carthage email account. Each student has received two tickets for guests and must distribute them to their guests prior to the Commencement Ceremony.
Those without tickets will not be admitted. Unused tickets cannot be shared with other graduates, and those attempting to use a ticket issued to another student will not be admitted. We understand that limiting tickets can be difficult for many students and families. Additional guests are invited to view the Commencement Ceremony live stream at 7:00 PM in the overflow room, which will be in the Todd Wehr Center. Loved ones may also watch Commencement Weekend events via the live stream on Carthage’s multimedia webpage.
Tickets are not required for the Baccalaureate service.
I have a guest or family member who needs accessibility accommodations. Can they attend?
During the Friday Commencement Ceremony, accessible seating will be available on the first floor of Siebert Chapel. If guests cannot climb stairs to the second-floor seating, please use the accessibility form which was sent to graduates through their Carthage email account in February to request accessible seating.
The Red Carpet Procession on Saturday and Sunday will be fully wheelchair accessible! If any guests are unable to walk the Red Carpet Procession on Saturday and Sunday, they will have an opportunity to wait in Siebert Chapel. When the graduate arrives in the chapel, they will have a front-row view to cheer them on.
What does Carthage’s Red Carpet Procession look like?
The procession begins at the South entrance of the Johnson Arts Center near the South Upper parking lot. It goes through the Johnson Arts Center, Hedberg Library, and ends at the A.F. Siebert Chapel, where graduates will cross the stage to receive their diploma with their guests in the front row.
Graduates can linger afterward to sign Kissing Rock with the rest of their class and enjoy refreshments on Campus Drive.
