Graduate students, evening undergraduate students and veteran students
*NEW* Tickets are required for The Citadel Graduate College commencement on Saturday afternoon.
Thursday, May 5
Nursing Graduation Candidates – Pinning Ceremony
Select group only
New nurses are presented with nursing pins.
- Time: 3:30pm
- Place: Summerall Chapel
- Speaker: Lt. Gen. Dorothy A. Hogg, USAF (Ret.), former Air Force Surgeon General
- Suggested Dress: Business Casual
- Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
- Special Information: This event is for Nursing Program Graduates and their family members
Commencement Awards Ceremony Hosted by the Citadel Graduate College
All graduate college, undergraduate transfer and veteran students are invited to celebrate their graduation and their fellow students’ academic accomplishments. Award recipients will receive their awards and have their photographs taken with Gen. Glenn Walters, USMC (Ret.), ‘79.
- Time: 5:30 p.m. ceremony, 6:15 p.m. drop-in reception
- Place: Holliday Alumni Center
- Suggested Dress: Business Casual
- Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
- Suggested Arrival: All guests are asked to be seated 15 minutes prior to the ceremony
- Suggested Parking: Johnson Hagood Stadium and Holliday Alumni Center
- Suggested Arrival: All guests are asked to be seated 15 minutes prior to the ceremony.
- Suggested Parking: Johnson Hagood Stadium
Friday, May 6
Alumni Presenters’ Briefing
Select group only
This briefing is for Citadel alumni presenting diplomas at The Citadel Graduate College commencement who received an invitation to participate from the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs.
- Legacy Diploma Presentation Request: Diploma presentation by Citadel alumni must be requested by the graduation candidate and approved prior to the ceremony. The deadline to make a request is March 1st. If you have questions, please email: commencement@citadel.edu
- Time: 1:45pm
- Place: McAlister Field House
- Suggested Dress: Business attire (be prepared for photos immediately following the briefing)
- Approximate Run Time: 30 minutes
- Suggested Arrival: Alumni presenters are asked to arrive no later than 1:35pm in McAlister Field House.
- Special Information: Alumni who will be presenting diplomas to their family member will meet with the associate provost for academic affairs for special instructions. Information will include a walk-through of the presentation on the stage.
Graduate College Legacy Photos
Select group only
Alumni presenters and graduates will have their photographs taken. Instructions will be sent to eligible graduates prior to April 1st
- Time: 2:15pm
- Place: McAlister Field House
- Suggested Dress: Coat and tie for gentlemen; dress or business suit for women; cap and gown for graduates.
- Approximate Run Time: 30 minutes
- Special Information: Family photos may also be taken at this time.
Saturday, May 7
Citadel Graduate College Commencement Exercises
- Time: 3:30pm
- Place: McAlister Field House
- Speaker: Claudius (Bud) E. Watts IV-Managing Partner of Meeting Street Capital
- Suggested Dress: Coat and tie for gentlemen; dress or business suit for women; cap and gown for graduates.
- Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
- Suggested Arrival: All guests are asked to be seated by 3:15 p.m.
Restrictions Regarding Photography
Unauthorized non-Citadel photography is prohibited. The Citadel’s photographer will take photos of each graduate during the diploma presentation. Families are asked not to come forward to take family snapshots or video. Only authorized media photographers are permitted on the field house floor during commencement. Information on purchasing photos will be updated on this site closer to commencement.
Clear Bag Policy
The Citadel’s Campus Event Security Screening Policy, also known as the Clear Bag Policy, will be in effect for all events that take place indoors.
What to Expect
The ceremony will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. with the processional of the graduating class, the faculty and the platform party. After the invocation, national anthem and introductions of the special guests, GEN. Walters will deliver remarks. The presentation of candidates and conferring of degrees will precede the actual presentation of diplomas.
Graduates will receive a souvenir diploma tube at the commencement ceremony. Providing the graduate does not have a financial hold, diplomas will be mailed to the address provided in the graduation application 7 – 10 business days following commencement. Within one week after commencement, graduates will receive an email with information on how to download a certified copy of their diploma or certificate. Students completing degree requirements in the summer will receive their diploma by mail at the beginning of the fall semester.
Tickets (required for all guests in McAlister Field House)
Graduates participating in The Citadel Graduate College commencement can request up to seven tickets through “Marching Order” beginning 18 April.
These tickets are General Admission seating. Graduates can either print or email the tickets to their guests. Please note that each ticket has a unique code and cannot be used for more than one guest.
Accessible Seating
Guests unable to use steps may use the accessible seating behind the graduates. Guests that are able to use steps should use the appropriately marked bleacher seating. One family member may sit with the person or persons needing accessible seating in either location. Accessible seating may not be reserved and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For information, please call The Citadel Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at 843-953-6877.
Commencement Ceremony Security Restrictions / COVID Protocol
No boxes, alcohol, weapons, firecrackers, noise makers, camera bags, video cameras, umbrellas, backpacks, large handbags, coolers, thermoses or similar items will be allowed in the field house. Food is prohibited. Please see the Campus Event Security Screening Policy above for more information.
*NEW* Leaving McAlister Field during the ceremony is highly discouraged. Those who must leave will be required to go back through security screening prior to re-entry.
Ordering Announcements
Invitations should be ordered directly through Herff Jones by April 16th.
Ordering Regalia
Regalia may be ordered through https://collegegrad.herffjones.com/. Last day to order regalia is March 18th, 2022.
Graduate degree recipients will wear cap, gown, and hood. Undergraduate degree recipients will wear cap and gown. Degree recipients may wear the service dress uniform of their respective branch of service if authorized by the service.
Graduating Veterans will receive their red, white, and blue cord during the check in process. These cords have been approved to wear with the graduation regalia. Members of honor societies may wear the cords associated with that honor society. Purchase of these items is the responsibility of the student. Questions can be directed to the advisor of that honor society.
Ordering Photographs
A professional photographer has been contracted by the college to take pictures of each individual during Friday’s military commissioning ceremonies and each individual receiving a diploma at commencement. Families are asked not to attempt to come down to the field house floor during graduation. Unauthorized professional photography is prohibited.
The company GradImages will contact graduates and their families following the ceremonies. Questions may be emailed after May 9 to service@gradimages.com. Following commencement, photographs can be ordered online at www.gradimages.com or by calling 1-800-261-2576.