The following arrangements are announced for commencement activities. These arrangements allow for social distancing and other safety precautions.
*NEW* Tickets are required for The Citadel Graduate College commencement.
Thursday, May 6
Nursing Graduation Candidates – Pinning Ceremony
Select group only
New nurses are presented with nursing pins.
- Time: 3:30pm
- Place: Summerall Chapel
- Speaker: Ms. Carolyn Donohue, Executive Director of Nursing, Children’s and Women’s Services, Medical University of South Carolina
- Suggested Dress: Business Casual
- Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
- Special Information: This event is for Nursing Program Graduates and ticketed guests
CGC Awards Ceremony
Select group only
Award recipients will receive an invitation to attend and have their photographs taken with GEN. Walters.
- Time: 5:30pm
- 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
Friday, May 7
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 that office.
- Legacy Diploma Presentation Request: Diploma presentation by a Citadel alumni must be requested by the graduation candidate and approval prior to the ceremony. The deadline to make a request was March 1st. If you have questions, please email: commencement@citadel.edu
- Time: 1:45pm
- Place: McAlister Field House – meet on the stage
- 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 members will meet with the associate provost for academic operations for special instructions. Information will include a walk-through of the presentations on the stage.
Legacy Photos
Select group only
Immediately after the briefing for alumni parents/grandparents and their cadet graduates our photographer will take individual diploma presentation photos for the Alumni News magazine and family photos.
- 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.
Sunday, May 9
Citadel Graduate College Commencement Exercises
- Time: 9am and 2:30pm
- Place: McAlister Field House
- Speaker: Mr. Norman Seabrooks, Retired Market President, Aetna
- Suggested Dress: Business attire; cap and gown for graduates.
- Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
- Suggested Arrival: All guests are asked to be seated 30 minutes before the ceremony start time.
Graduates and Participants
Morning graduation candidates will gather in Deas Hall no later than 8am for the lineup. Afternoon graduation candidates will gather in Deas Hall no later than 2:30pm for the lineup.
Restrictions Regarding Photography
Unauthorized non-Citadel professional 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 videos. Only authorized media photographers will be permitted on the field house floor during commencement. The vendor, GradImages will contact graduates and their families following commencement with more information on ordering photographs. Following commencement, you may order photos online at www.gradimages.com or by calling 1-800-261-2576. Questions may be emailed after May 10 to service@gradimages.com. This e-mail address is protected from spambots and JavaScript is required to enable viewing.
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 with the processional of 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.
Live-Stream Broadcast
For family members and friends who do not have a ticket to attend the ceremony inside McAlister, The Citadel will be broadcasting a live stream of the entire commencement event which will be available on the Commencement website.
Tickets (required for all guests in McAlister Field House)
Graduates participating in commencement will be issued one pod of three seats through “Marching Order.” The tickets are for assigned seats and can be claimed on April 19-28. Seating will not be permitted in unassigned seats due to COVID restrictions. Please note that each ticket has a unique code and cannot be used for more than one guest.
Children above the age of 2 are required to have a ticket.
Commencement Ceremony Security Restrictions / COVID Protocol
Face masks covering the nose and mouth are required by all guests and participants. No boxes, alcohol, weapons, firecrackers, noisemakers, 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 for more information.
Leaving McAlister Field House during the ceremony is highly discouraged. Those who leave will be required to go back through security screening prior to re-entry.
Ordering Announcements
Announcements should be ordered directly through Herff-Jones. The last day to order announcements is April 1, 2021. Please note that an announcement cannot be used for admission into the SCCC ceremony.
Ordering Photographs
A professional photographer has been contracted by the college to take pictures of 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 10 to service@gradimages.com. Following commencement, photographs can be ordered online at www.gradimages.com or by calling 1-800-261-2576.