South Carolina Corps of Cadets Commencement 2023

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.

Class of 2023 clear bag policy

The following arrangements are announced for commencement activities for the South Carolina Corps of Cadets and students in the day program.

Wednesday, May 3

Star of the West Finals

  • Time: 9 a.m.
  • Place: Summerall Field
  • Inclement Weather: Deas Hall
  • Suggested Dress: Business Casual
  • Approximate Run Time: 45 minutes
  • Restrictions: All guests are asked to be seated in the bleachers 15 minutes prior to the competition.

Thursday, May 4

Awards Convocation Ceremony

  • Time: 10 a.m.
  • Place: McAlister Field House
  • Suggested Dress: Business Casual
  • Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
  • Restrictions: All guests are asked to be seated 15 minutes prior to the convocation. No flash photography.

Baccalaureate Service and Carillon Concert

  • Time: 2 p.m.
  • Place: Summerall Chapel
  • Speaker: Maj. Gen. John Grinalds, USMC (Ret.), former president of The Citadel
  • Suggested Dress: Business Casual
  • Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
  • Restrictions: No flash photography

Nursing Graduation Candidates – Pinning Ceremony

Select group only

  • Time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Place: Summerall Chapel
  • Suggested Dress: Business Casual
  • Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
  • Special Information: This event is for graduates from the Swain Department of Nursing and their family members.

Honors Program Dinner

Select group only

  • Time: 6 p.m.
  • Place: Regimental Commanders Riverview Room
  • Suggested Dress: Business Casual
  • Approximate Run Time: 2.5 hours
  • Special Information: This event includes dinner and the presentation of certificates for cadets and students graduating from the Honors Program.

Friday, May 5

Joint Military Commissioning Ceremonies

Select group only

  • Time: 9 a.m.
  • Place:  McAlister Field House
  • Speaker:  TBA
  • Suggested Dress:  Business
  • Approximate Run Time:  1.5 hours
  • Suggested Arrival:  Guests are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to start.
  • Graduates and Participants: Those accepting a commission, in service uniform, will be instructed where to assemble in advance.
  • Special Instructions:  These ceremonies are for graduates accepting commissions into the Armed Forces and their families. A “swearing-in” ceremony for all branches will take place Saturday morning during commencement exercises.

Senior Fine Arts Minor Art Exhibition Reception

  • Time: 11 a.m.
  • Place: Daniel Library 
  • Approximate Run Time: 2 hours
  • Special Information: An exhibition of artwork by graduating Fine Arts minors will be on display throughout graduation weekend. This drop-in reception is open to all graduates and their guests to honor the graduating artists. Light refreshments will be served.

Alumni Presenters Briefing

Select group only

This briefing is for alumni parents and grandparents presenting diplomas at the cadet commencement who received an invitation to participate from the associate provost for academic affairs.

  • Legacy Diploma Presentation Request: Diploma presentation by an approved Citadel alumni presenter must be requested by the graduation candidate and approved prior to the ceremony. The deadline to make a request is March 1. If you have questions, please email: commencement@citadel.edu
  • Time: 1:45 p.m.
  • 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 1:35 p.m. in McAlister Field House.
  • Special Information: Alumni who will be presenting diplomas to their sons or daughters will meet with the associate provost for special instructions. Information will include a walk-through of the pre­sentations on the stage and details on where to meet, park and when to arrive Saturday morning.

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: 2:15 p.m.
  • Place: McAlister Field House
  • Suggested Dress: Coat and tie for gentlemen; dress or business suit for women; full dress with waistplate or sash (no hats) for cadets.
  • Approximate Run Time: 45 minutes
  • Special Information: Guests are asked to wait in the lobby of McAlister Field House until the conclusion of the presenters briefing. Legacy photos can be purchased here.

Graduation Parade (Long Gray Line)

  • Time: 3:45 p.m.
  • Place: Summerall Field
  • Inclement Weather: Cancelled
  • Suggested Dress: Casual
  • Parking: Parking will be available along the fence line of Hampton Park, with the rest of the park available on a first come first serve basis.
  • Suggested Arrival: All guests are asked to be seated in the bleachers 15 minutes prior to the parade.
  • Special Information: Members of the graduating class will march in their final parade as cadets.

Garden Party hosted by Gen. and Mrs. Glenn Walters for the graduating class and their guests

  • Time: Following parade
  • Place: President’s House, Hammond Avenue
  • Inclement Weather: Cancelled
  • Suggested Dress: Business Casual
  • Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
  • Suggested Arrival: Gen. and Mrs. Walters will welcome the graduating class and their guests immediately after parade until 6 p.m.
  • Special Information: This is an opportunity for the graduating class and their guests to meet the President and First Lady. Light refreshments will be served.

Saturday, May 6

Corps of Cadets Commencement Exercises

  • Time: 9 a.m.
  • Place: McAlister Field House
  • Speaker: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham
  • Suggested Dress: Business attire
  • Approximate Run Time: 3 hours

Suggested Arrival

Doors to McAlister Field House will open for guests at 7:30 a.m. All guests are asked to be seated by 8:30 a.m. Doors will close at 8:50 a.m. for the processional. Doors will not reopen until after the national anthem and invocation.

Graduates and Participants

Graduates will gather in Deas Hall no later than 7 a.m. for 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 video. Only authorized media photographers will be permitted on the field house floor during commencement.

What to Expect

The ceremony will begin promptly at 9 a.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, honors, awards and honorary degrees will be presented. The guest speaker will then deliver the commencement address. Gen. Walters will administer the oath to those entering the Armed Forces. The presentation of candidates and conferring of degrees will precede the actual presentation of diplomas. At the conclusion, the president of The Citadel Alumni Association will have graduates rise and turn their rings so that the numerals face out. The ceremony will conclude with the singing of the alma mater, closing remarks by Gen. Walters and the “tossing of hats.”

Graduates will receive a souvenir diploma tube at the commencement ceremony. Providing the graduate does not have a financial obligation with the Treasurer’s Office, diplomas will be mailed to the address provided in the graduation application following commencement. Students completing degree requirements in the summer will receive their diploma by mail at the beginning of the fall semester.

Guest overflow live-stream broadcast location on campus

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 in Grimsley Auditorium, which can be located on the college’s virtual map, at position number 15. Tickets are not required to watch the ceremony in the Grimsley Hall locations, which are located on the first floor of that building. Please note that space availability is limited.

Tickets (required for all guests in McAlister Field House)

Graduates participating in the Day/SCCC commencement can request up to six tickets through “Marching Orders” beginning Monday, April 17. Additional tickets may be offered on a first come, first served basis as they become available.

Tickets are for general admission. 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 telephone The Citadel Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at 843-953-6877.

Commencement Ceremony Security Restrictions

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 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 16, 2023. Please note that an announcement cannot be used for admission into the SCCC ceremony.

Ordering Regalia

Veteran students and active duty graduates may order academic regalia through https://collegegrad.herffjones.com/. The last day to order regalia is March 18, 2023.

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.