Info for Families & FAQs
Questions? Please refer to the FAQs below or email commencement@carthage.edu.
What date and time will my student be walking across the stage?
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 will be notified about their specific Red Carpet Procession time in February 2024. Graduates should check their Carthage email for this information. If you are a graduating senior or master’s program graduate and do not receive this communication by February 29, 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 you cannot pick up your regalia on April 25, you 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 will be sent to graduates through their Carthage email accounts. Each student will receive eight Commencement Procession tickets for guests. If graduates have not received their slot time by April 1, they can contact commencement@carthage.edu. Tickets will be automatically sent once time slots are finalized.
Tickets for the Commencement Ceremony will be automatically sent in March to graduates through their Carthage email account. Each student will receive two tickets for guests. A survey was also be sent to graduates in February to request accessibility accommodations.
If space allows, additional tickets may be offered for 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. Those not in attendance may watch you cross the stage via a 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 will be sent to graduates through their Carthage email account in February to request accessible seating. This survey will also include information on requesting ASL interpretation at the Commencement Ceremony and the Baccalaureate Service.
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. Stay tuned for more accessibility information, which will be sent to graduates via their Carthage email account.
What does the Carthage Commencement Procession look like?
Watch the video from our Instagram account from the 2022 procession to get an idea of what the Commencement Procession is like!
View this post on Instagram