College of Arts & Sciences Commissioning Ceremony

Congratulations! You have made it to graduation! We are excited that you have decided to join us for our Commissioning Service, and we look forward to meeting your families and friends.

Commissioning is a sacred service dedicated to worship, prayer, and anointing. Commissioning means “to grant authority,” “to entrust,” or “to appoint or assign a task or function.” This special ceremony commissions our graduates to take their training into the world and make a difference for Christ.

This event will prayerfully commission you to serve the world as a Christian leader in your chosen field. The schedule includes:

• Dean’s welcome
• Presentation of Outstanding Student Awards
• Formal reading of graduate names and walking across the stage
• Faculty prayer and anointing of graduates
• Professional headshots by Grad Images
• Reception at the Communications Building Plaza from 9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

The service will be streamed live beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 3, 2024.

Commencement (also known as graduation) will be held Saturday, May 4, beginning at 9:15 a.m. ET at the Library Plaza. This ceremony includes all graduates and faculty. Please view webdev.regent.edu/commencement for more information regarding Commencement.

Please RSVP for both the Commencement and Commissioning ceremonies whether you plan to attend or not. To RSVP for these events, please visit your MyRegent portal, select the Student tab at the top and scroll down to the My Account portion where you will be able to communicate your participation by completing the survey in the “RSVP for Commencement & Commissioning” option. Please RSVP by Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Click here to view the Regent campus map.

Area hotels: https://webdev.regent.edu/student-life/student-housing/area-hotels/

*Processional
*Welcome & Opening Prayer	Dr. Cheryl Gould Associate Professor, Teacher Education
“Great is Thy Faithfulness”	Dr. Joan Pi & Quartet Accompanied by Ms. Sylvia Chapa
Student Tributes	Dr. Joshua McMullen
Recognition of Honors and Outstanding Graduates	Dr. Simon Tarr Dean, Honors College
Introduction of Dean	Dr. Simon Tarr
Charge to the Graduates	Dr. Joshua McMullen Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Presentation of Graduates	Dr. Simon Tarr
Readers	Dr. C. Eric Jones Associate Professor, Psychology Dr. Stephen King Professor, Government & Criminal Justice Dr. Jenny Sue Flannagan Associate Professor, Teacher Education
Alumni Induction	Ms. Alora Tejada Director of Alumni Engagement
*“In Christ Alone”	Dr. Joan Pi & Quartet Accompanied by Ms. Sylvia Chapa
*Benediction	Dr. James Henderson Associate Professor, Biblical Studies & Christian Ministry
Dismissal/Recessional	Dr. Josh McMullen

*Please stand.

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“Commissioning” is a sacred service dedicated to worship, prayer, and anointing. Thank you for acknowledging the significance of this event. Please be discreet when taking pictures during the service.

REHEARSAL

There will be a rehearsal on Wednesday, May 1, at the Library Plaza at 9:30 a.m. It is highly recommended that you attend if you are local. Come as you are. We will be finished in about 30 minutes.

CEREMONY

Friday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. EST, at the Library Plaza.  Graduates will be sent an email with instructions to check in with the Faculty Marshall with your particular row and seat number. Faculty Marshalls will be located on the left side of the front of the Administration Building (#3 on the map). Please arrive between 5:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. dressed in your full regalia— cap, gown, and tassel. You are welcome to invite as many family and friends as you wish; no tickets required.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

All undergraduate students receiving an associate or a bachelor’s degree or a MS in Cybersecurity, except for students in Healthcare and Nursing, will participate in the CAS Commissioning. Students graduating in Healthcare and Nursing will attend the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Commissioning.

REGALIA

Regalia is required for all graduation ceremonies. Regalia orders may be placed online through our trusted partner Oak Hall. Order dates deadline to ship to Regent University is March 24 and to ship to your home is March 31.

For students who ordered their regalia to be shipped to Regent University, regalia must be picked up on campus at the Welcome Center before 5:00 p.m. Graduates must present their picture ID to pick up their regalia (caps, gowns, and tassels) in the Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177. Click here to view the Regent campus map.

Pick up Regalia

Tuesday, April 30; 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

Wednesday, May 1; 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

Thursday, May 2; 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

Friday, May 3; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

The Registrar’s staff will only release regalia to someone other than the graduate if they have received prior written consent from the graduate at registrar@regent.edu. Graduates must send this written consent from their Regent email account.

Graduates not attending the Commissioning Service may pick up their regalia the morning of Commencement, beginning at 8:00 a.m.; however, they are strongly encouraged to pick up their regalia in advance.

Graduates may not alter or decorate their regalia, including caps.

ATTIRE & DECORUM

Graduates must wear all regalia for the service, including their caps, gowns, and any University-provided Honors regalia. Gentlemen should wear dress pants and dress shoes. Ladies should wear a dress, a skirt or dress pants and comfortable dress shoes. Please note that this service will involve extensive standing, walking across uneven brick pathways, and walking upstairs. Absolutely no sneakers, jeans, or t-shirts are permitted. Please be advised that men will need to remove their caps during prayer.

CEREMONY DECORUM

As a Regent University College of Arts & Sciences graduate, we trust that your participation in the Commissioning Service will reflect the dignity, decorum, and gracious order that a ceremony of this nature requires. You will be guided in correct protocol throughout the ceremony by listening to directions from the Master of Ceremonies at the service. Always follow the specific directions of the ushers and staff. Further, please refrain from any of the following disruptive/disrespectful behavior:

• Talking or cheering at inappropriate times
• Changing seats or needlessly moving
• Any other activities that would infringe upon other graduates’ enjoyment of the ceremony

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Graduates will not be permitted to carry anything— including purses, bags, umbrellas, or cameras— into the ceremony. Graduates should leave all belongings in their vehicles or with their guests. There is no place to store belongings prior to or during the service. Regent University is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.

There are no ticket restrictions; therefore, physical tickets are not necessary.

For any accommodation or accessibility questions or concerns, please email disabilities@regent.edu or call at 757.352.4485.