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Offered Online

COMMENCEMENT 2024

Commencement | May 2 – 3 , 2024

 

Schedule of Events

DAY TIME EVENT LOCATION
THURSDAY 8:30 a.m. Nurses Pinning Ceremony Gymnasium
THURSDAY 10:30 a.m. Graduate Candidate Chapel Gymnasium
THURSDAY 12:00 noon Graduate Candidate Luncheon Dining Complex
THURSDAY 7:00 p.m. Baccalaureate Gymnasium
FRIDAY 10:00 a.m. Convocation Gymnasium
FRIDAY 12:00 noon Lunch Dining Complex

Helpful
Information

Tickets are required for Convocation main floor seating. Open seating will be available in the bleachers.

Nursery is provided for Baccalaureate and Commencement. Children under 5 years old will not be permitted in either service.

MBU Commencement is a formal academic ceremony, conducted with dignity. Proper attire and respectful behavior are expected.

NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR CLASS OF 2024

Choose a timeless reminder of your years at Maranatha. Available in men’s and women’s sizes.
Order before May 22. Inside engraving available.

Choose a timeless reminder of your years at Maranatha. Available in men’s and women’s sizes. Order before May 12. Inside engraving available.

Former Maranatha student athletes are eligible to purchase.
Email taylor.pill@mbu.edu to access the ordering portal.

GRADUATION DETAILS FOR GRADUATES & GUESTS

GRADUATE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Commencement Dress Requirements | Graduate FAQs

Thursday, May 4
10:30 a.m. – Graduate Chapel | Gymnasium
12:00 noon – Graduate Candidate Luncheon | Dining Complex
1:30 p.m. –  Graduation Rehearsal | Gymnasium
6:00-6:30 p.m. – Dress check for Main Campus Students | DC 202
6:30 p.m. – Roll call for all graduates – regalia required | Dining Complex
7:00 p.m. – Baccalaureate | Gymnasium

Friday, May 5
8:30 a.m. – Graduate Photos | Front steps of Old Main
9:00-9:30 a.m. – Dress check for Main Campus Students | DC 202
9:30 a.m. – Roll Call for all graduates – regalia required | Dining Complex
10:00 a.m. – Convocation | Gymnasium
Main Campus graduates who are marching for Convocation are expected to attend all of these events.

Online graduates who are marching for Convocation (Friday) but are not be able to attend Rehearsal or Baccalaureate (Thursday) should contact the Academic Office, commencement@mbu.edu.

TICKETS

  • Tickets are not required for seating at Baccalaureate on Thursday evening.
  • Tickets are required for Main Floor seating at Convocation on Friday morning.
  • Graduates must request reserved-seating tickets for their guests by submitting the Convocation Ticket Request Form between January 15 and March 15.
  • Each graduate is guaranteed up to three (3) tickets. Additional tickets may be requested but are not guaranteed.
  • Open seating is available on the bleachers (no ticket required).
  • One VIP parking permit is provided with each graduate’s tickets. The parking permit cannot be replaced.
  • Graduates will receive instructions regarding when and where to pick up their tickets and parking passes.

REGALIA

All candidates are required to wear approved academic regalia to participate in the commencement exercises.

  • Regalia is worn for the Baccalaureate service without honor cords or hoods.
  • Full regalia is worn for Convocation, including honor cords and hoods.
    • Mortar boards should be worn flat on top of the head, not off the back. Decorating of caps is not permitted.
    • Students may borrow regalia from a recent graduate, as long as it matches the regalia shown on the order form.
    • Only Maranatha-issued items may be worn over graduation regalia (ie, honor cords, stoles/sashes, medals),
  • Graduate candidates will receive an email with links to order regalia and invitations.
  • Contact Registrar@mbu.edu with questions about regalia.
Degree Regalia to order
MBBI Bachelor degree regalia (gown, cap, tassel)
Associate Degree Bachelor degree regalia (gown, cap, tassel)
Bachelor Degree Bachelor degree regalia (gown, cap, tassel)
Dual Bachelor and Master Degree Master degree regalia (gown, cap, tassel, hood)
Master Degree Master degree regalia (gown, cap, tassel, hood)
Doctoral Degree Doctoral degree regalia (gown, cap, tassel, hood)

ACADEMIC HONORS

Academic honors are given to graduating seniors based upon their cumulative grade point average. Students receiving such honors are identified by honor cords.

  • Associate degree with honors (3.50-4.00), white cord
  • Cum Laude (3.50-3.74), blue/blue cord
  • Magna Cum Laude (3.75-3.90), blue/gold cord
  • Summa Cum Laude (3.91-4.00), gold/gold cord

The academic honors recognized at graduation will be based on the student’s cumulative GPA for all completed courses as of April 1 in the academic year during which the student graduates, including highest and second highest GPA, and commencement honors.

  • Students will wear that specific honor regalia.
  • The student’s final cumulative grade point average will determine the specific honor printed on the transcript and diploma.

Two undergraduates earning the highest grade point averages for the graduating class will be awarded medals signifying that honor. The medals will be awarded on Friday morning prior to Convocation.

DIPLOMA

Diplomas and one official transcript will be mailed to degree candidates approximately 6-8 weeks after all the requirements for the degree are completed and final grades are submitted.

Degree candidates will receive an empty diploma cover when crossing the stage at Convocation. Diploma covers are available upon request from the Registrar’s Office for graduates who will not be in attendance at Commencement.

Resources for Travelers

Campus Guest Suites & Area Hotels