graduation

Piedmont College
GRADUATION (Scroll down for Commencement Info.)

Piedmont College holds three graduations each Academic Year.
Each year's class consists of students graduating in December, May, and July.
Example: The Class of 2010 are graduates from Fall 2009, Spring 2010, and Summer 2010.

Baccalaureate service is held for undergraduate students in the Spring only. This service is held in addition to the commencement exercises. Baccalaureate is not held during the Fall or Summer semester graduations. It is a service of worship signifying the end of students' undergraduate years. Families and friends are welcome to attend.

All students who expect to complete graduation requirements must submit an application for graduation to the Registrar by the posted deadline for that graduation (See Academic Calendar). If you do not apply to graduate, we do not know you're finishing your coursework.
Applications for graduation must be received by the Registrar's Office in order to register for Capstones/Senior Seminar Courses. If you do not apply for graduation, you may be dropped from your class.
Application fees for Graduates are $75 and fees for Undergraduates are $50. A $100 late fee will be assessed in addition to the regular application fee after the due date. No exceptions are made! Your application will not be processed without proof of payment. Click here for an application.
Applications may be picked up from the Registrar's Office or found on our Web site and must be completed both by the student and by his/her advisor then signed by the Dean. The advising check sheet must be attached.

After applying, students will receive notification from the Registrar regarding academic requirements they must complete before graduation.

Deadlines: Fall 2010 graduation applications must be turned in no later than September 3, 2010. Spring 2011 graduation applications must be turned in no later than January 21, 2011.
$100 fees will be charged for late applications! Late applications for Fall or Spring will not be accepted later than four weeks prior to commencement. Students applying after that date will be required to graduate at the end of the following semester. Late applications are not accepted for Summer graduation.

A letter/response form with details about commencement will be mailed to all students who have applied for graduation. The response form must be completed and returned to the Registrar's Office by the deadline in the letter. Forms must be returned to our office whether you are attending the ceremony or not. Diplomas will not be mailed unless these forms are returned. Please make sure to read this letter thoroughly and respond by the due date!

Fall 2010 Commencement Exercises	Spring 2011 Commencement Exercises
Saturday, December 11, 2010	Saturday, May 7, 2011
Undergraduates: 10:00 am	Undergraduates: 10:00 am
Graduates: 10:00 am	Graduates: 2:00 pm

Upcoming Fall 2010 Commencement Information:

Date: Saturday, December 11, 2010
Time: 10:00 am
Venue: Johnny Mize Athletic Center (Demorest Campus) @ 280 Laurel Avenue, Demorest, GA 30535

Commencement Exercises
Students should arrive at the Athletic Center 45 minutes before the ceremony. There will be signs and college employees to direct you where to go. Do not bring hand bags, totes, gifts, cameras, or other personal items with you as there is no place to leave them. You should wear "Sunday dress" underneath your robe. We will have staff members to assist Graduate Students with their hoods. Once you are dressed, you will find your name along the wall in order by degree and last name. You will be instructed further on that day. Your name will be called out as it is printed on your diploma. If you have concerns about the pronunciation of your name, you may write it phonetically on your name card at Commencement. There is no limit as to how many guests you may invite, but seating in the gym will be "first come, first served." There is handicapped parking available to guests and officers will direct traffic. A shuttle bus will transport people to the gym from distant parking lots.

Academic Honors
(Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude)
are only awarded to Undergraduate Students who meet requirements (see page 46 of the 10-11 catalog). Graduate students (Masters and Specialists) do not receive any cords or medallions. If you are receiving an honor medallion or cord, please visit the Registrar's table located in the dressing room of the Athletic Center at Commencement. Most honor societies will distribute cords/medals prior to graduation. Do not wear medals or cords to Baccalaureate. Please do not call our office to inquire about honors. We cannot calculate academic honors until the day before Commencement.
If you would like to calculate your own GPA, visit this web site: http://www.back2college.com/gpa.htm

Class rings and announcements
are optional. You may order rings and announcements on-line directly from Herff-Jones by accessing their web site at: www.herff-jones.com. Herff-Jones representatives also visit campus throughout the year.

Diplomas
are distributed at Commencement. Students who do not attend Commencement will receive their diplomas in the mail the following week (if they have sent in their completed Graduation Participation Forms). If students have outstanding financial obligations, library books, or missing transcripts, they will not receive their diplomas at Commencement. Diplomas measure 8.5 x 11 inches. They are not available in larger sizes, and we'll only issue one diploma per student. If you receive a diploma with an error on it, please let a staff member know immediately so it can be re-printed. We will only replace diplomas with errors made by the Registrar's Office--we do not change names on diplomas due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or other reasons.

Graduation Participation Forms
will be mailed directly to Fall 2010 graduating students in September and must be returned to us by
October 19, 2010. If you did not receive the participation form (because you are not enrolled, wrong address, etc), you may access it on our web page. Caps, gowns, hoods (if applicable), and tassels MUST be ordered online (at no charge) before October 19: www.herffjones.com/college/graduation .Your tuition covers the costs of caps, gowns, hoods, etc. There will be no additional fees to pay unless you want your regalia shipped to you for $6.95. You may fax the Participation Form to (706) 776-2811 or mail it to Piedmont College, Registrar's Office, P.O. Box 10, Demorest, GA 30535 by Oct 19. (Do not submit it to the Bookstore). The Bookstore will not release your caps and gowns without this form--even if you ordered online.

Late participation forms cannot be accepted--October 19, 2010 is the deadline to RSVP.

Caps and Gowns (Academic Regalia)
The term "regalia" refers to ceremonial garb. Caps, gowns/robes, hoods, and tassels worn by graduates are referred to as academic regalia. Regalia must be ordered online: www.herffjones.com/college/graduation. There is no charge for ordering your regalia. Regalia will be available (at no charge) for pick up at the Bookstore in Demorest on or after November 29 and at the Athens Bookstore Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 2, or Dec 7-9. You may request that your regalia be mailed instead for a fee of $6.95. Please send the mailing fee to the Registrar's Office along with your Participation Form by Oct 19. You do not have to attend Commencement in order to receive regalia. Make the check or money order payable to Piedmont College Bookstore (include your driver's license number and expiration date of license). Graduate Students must also order hoods (light blue for Education, drab for Business). EdS Candidates will receive doctoral robes and gold tassels in addition to a master's hood.
The deadline to order your regalia online for Fall 2010 is October 19.

You will NOT receive a cap and gown unless you have submitted the Participation Form to the Registrar's Office!

Click here for an interesting read about the history and significance of academic regalia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_dress

What Does It All Mean?
Sometimes students aren't familiar with terms used in academe. If you are working toward a Baccalaureate degree, you are considered an Undergraduate Student. At Piedmont we offer Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. If you have already earned a Baccalaureate degree, you are considered a Graduate Student. Postgraduate programs offered at Piedmont are as follows: Master of Arts (Advanced Certification), Master of Arts in Teaching (Initial Certification), Master of Business Administration, Education Specialist, and Education Doctorate.

In Absentia
If you choose not to participate in the commencement exercises, your diploma will be mailed the following week to the address you provided on the Graduation Response Form. If you did not respond in writing, your diploma will not be mailed.

Area Accommodations
If you and your family would like to learn more about area accommodations and restaurants, click here: http://www.habershamchamber.com

Exit Counseling
Students who took advantage of financial aid while enrolled at Piedmont College should perform exit counseling with the Financial Aid Office. You may contact them at (706) 778-3000.

Driving Directions (click here)
Johnny Mize Athletic Center
280 Laurel Avenue
Demorest, GA 30535

Transcripts and Certification
One of the most important components of earning a college degree is having it posted to your college transcript. Your transcript serves as "proof" of completion and will reflect the day you earned your degree, the type of degree, your major, and minor if applicable. It will also indicate an academic honor if you earned one. Transcripts are usually necessary in applying to graduate schools or jobs. Many school teachers must provide official transcripts for certification and certification upgrades through their school boards or the GPSC. You may request your college transcripts by clicking this link: http://www.piedmont.edu/reg/transcript_request_form_3.pdf Official transcripts are $5 each.

Congratulations on your accomplishments!!!
Please call us if you have any other questions regarding Graduation: (706) 776-0112

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