Commencement Information

The College’s Commencement will be held at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, May 4th, 2024 on the Green (in case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the College’s Catherine Dixon Roland Student Center). If you decide not to participate in the Commencement ceremony, you need to contact the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible.

In Narrow Lane, Smith, or Wilson parking lots. Campus Map

Yes. All degree candidates, except those excused from Commencement exercises, are required to meet for practice on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. in Flowers Hall Ligon Chapel.

Participants must arrive and be seated by 4PM fully dressed in graduation regalia which includes your cap, gown, hood, and tassel.

There will not be a Baccalaureate Service associated with the May 2024 Commencement.

Commencement is a ceremonious occasion honoring important educational accomplishments. Caps, gowns, tassels and hoods are required to participate in the Commencement ceremony. Graduating students are permitted to wear cords and stoles of their own choosing, including, but not limited to Greek stoles and academic honors. Commencement is a formal event. Improper attire, signs and insignia will be monitored by the Registrar’s Office/Office of the Chief Academic Officer and may be removed. Keeping additional cords and stoles, as well as cap decorations, to a minimum is recommended.

The graduation gowns are black which means you can wear whatever color you want underneath. Because your neck and feet will show, we ask men to wear ties and men and women to wear “dress” shoes. When you pick your outfit, keep in mind that the Commencement takes place outdoors on the Green. Shoe selection is very important for your comfort.

Caps, gowns, tassels and hoods are required to participate in the Commencement ceremony. All orders should be placed online by March 10, 2024 at herff.ly/hc – The Scarlet and Gray Shop (334-833-4482) should be contacted if you miss the deadline.

Graduation announcements and invitations can be ordered from any printing company you choose. However, the Huntingdon College Bookstore works with an Herff Jones for this purpose. All orders should be placed online by March 10, 2024 at herff.ly/hc.

We receive many requests for special accommodations each graduation and, unfortunately, we can’t make reservations for seating. Families and friends of graduates are welcome to arrive at 4:00 p.m. and “hold” their seats by occupying the chairs. Reserving seats by putting up string or other materials to block off seats is not permitted and will be removed by the College.

We plan to webcast the Commencement ceremony. The link will be available at the beginning of this page for you to share with your family and friends who are not able to attend. 

The Grad Team takes photos of each graduate as they receive their diploma. Families will have an opportunity to view and purchase these photos later.

The determination regarding who will be awarded graduation honors is not made until the day before Commencement. The distinction is announced as the student marches across the stage, and both the diploma and transcript make special note of the honor. There is no additional regalia for students who graduate with honors.

Please note that the processional march of the candidates is approximately 500 yards long and walking down steps is required. (For inclement weather walking down and climbing stairs is required.) If you do not believe you will be able to march in the full procession, or if your guest should need to request reasonable services or accommodations for the day of Commencement, email registrar@hawks.huntingdon.edu as soon as possible. 

Guests who you have requested special accommodations for should contact security at (334) 324-6565 upon parking their vehicle and security will assist them with getting to the commencement venue. 

Local Accommodations.

If you have received a Federal TEACH Grant or borrowed under the Federal Stafford Loan Program or Federal Perkins Loan Program, you must complete an exit interview before being cleared for graduation. These can be done online at https://studentaid.gov (for Federal Stafford/Direct Loans), https://heartland.ecsi.net (for Federal Perkins Loans) and https://studentaid.gov/ (for Federal TEACH grant). Please contact the Student Financial Services Office at (334) 833-4428 if you need assistance. If you have taken out student loans during the course of your undergraduate studies and plan to attend graduate school, be sure to contact your lender(s) to request an in-school deferment to postpone repayment until after graduate school.

Please visit https://studentaid.gov. This website contains your loan information including your Lender, Servicer, Guarantee agency, interest rates, accumulated interest and balances. Please note that Huntingdon College does not retain the information provided by studentaid.gov. Therefore, please refer to the website to gather data about your loans.

To have a transcript released, all financial obligations must be settled with the Office of Student Financial Services, and you cannot be defaulted on your student loans. To make inquires or payments call the Student Financial Services Office at (334) 833-4428, email sfs@hawks.huntingdon.edu, or visit the office in Wilson 108.

Directions to Campus or Campus Map

For Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024 graduates, the Office of the Registrar will mail your diploma the week following graduation using USPS certified return receipt to the address indicated in the graduation application (if it matches the current address we have on record).