Order your gown today!
Deadline to order: March 27, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar’s office at commencement@cleary.edu.
CONGRATULATIONS, COUGARS!
Commencement is quickly approaching! We look forward to celebrating your accomplishment with you and your loved-ones. Cleary University’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony:
The following security measures are implemented to ensure the safety of all attendees:
Screening Process:
Prohibited Items:
The following items are not allowed inside the Center:
Allowed Items (Subject to Inspection):
The following items may be permitted after inspection:
Additional Information:
Entrances and Screening Locations:
We recommend planning ahead to ensure a smooth entry process.
Students will receive a printed diploma when all degree requirements have been fulfilled and all outstanding financial balances have been paid in full. This process takes approximately 12 weeks after final semester grades are submitted.
No. The commencement ceremony is a public recognition of graduates but is not a requirement to graduate. Nor does attendance officially confer the degree. Degree conferral will be completed for each potential graduate following the posting of their final grades in their final semester. This process takes 4-8 weeks to complete and diplomas are mailed out following the conferral process. Please see the previous question for details about receiving the diploma.
The Graduation Fee is $125.
Students have been charged a graduation fee for both the FA24 and SP25 semesters. SU25 students were notified that they need to pay this and that it has been added to their SU25 tuition bill.
The graduation fee covers the degree audit, conferral, and verification process . The graduation fee also covers the cost of the diploma and diploma cover, program expenses, mailing fees, and other expenses associated with graduation. All graduates are listed in the Commencement Program and all graduates must pay the fee, regardless of attendance at the ceremony.
Undergraduate academic honors printed on the diploma are computed based on all graded academic work completed at Cleary University. A bachelor’s degree (BBA and BS) candidate who maintains a GPA of 3.5 or above is recognized as follows:
GPA | HONORS |
3.50-3.69 | cum laude “with distinction” |
3.70-3.89 | magna cum laude “with great distinction” |
3.90-4.00 | summa cum laude “with the highest distinction” |
Students completing an ABA or AAS with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher graduate ‘With Honors.’ Academic honors are not offered as part of the graduate program.
If you need immediate confirmation of your degree (for example, for a current or potential employer), contact records@cleary.edu to request a confirmation of degree letter.
Our main focus at this ceremony is to celebrate students who have completed their degree programs or certificates. We also honor students who attained special achievements.
Although we do not give out actual diplomas until all graduation requirements are met, we will be giving each graduating student a diploma cover.
We also recognize the significance of this ceremony with appropriate pomp and circumstance, plus words of wisdom from honorable guests.
We ask graduates and their guests to arrive no earlier than two hours before their ceremony. Late arrivals will not be able to walk in the procession or sit with their class, so please aim for that two-hours-early arrival time.
The ceremony takes about 90 minutes. At the end of the ceremony, plan for another 30 – 60 minutes to collect your personal items, find your family, take pictures, and exit the campus grounds.
At the start of the ceremony, guests are asked to stand while the Academic Procession (including faculty and students) enters the venue. Music plays during this time. Everyone should remain standing until asked to be seated.
The Chairperson of the Cleary University Board of Directors opens the ceremony and the President gives a welcome address. The Provost announces several student honors and recognizes different student groups within the Cleary University community.
An honorary degree recipient may be presented, followed by a keynote speaker who addresses the graduates and attendees.
The Provost presents the graduates to the President and the President confers their degrees.
Our announcers introduce graduating students to be individually recognized in the following order: Master’s degrees, Bachelor’s degrees, and Associates degrees. Ceremony marshals ask students to move from their seats to the side of the stage, and then onto the stage for presentation of the diploma covers. As you approach the stage, please have your information card (that you received at check in) ready for the announcer to properly introduce you. Please wait at the marked spot until your name is presented and then walk across the stage to the President. You will receive your diploma cover and have your picture taken with the President.
After taking your picture, continue across the stage, down the steps, and return to your seat.
After all graduates have been presented, the President offers final remarks, during which you are instructed to move your mortarboard tassel from the right to the left to indicate you have graduated.
Our announcers conclude the ceremony and provide directions to the attendees. The Academic Procession (including faculty and students) then exits the venue. Music plays during this time.
Privacy: Please be aware that Cleary University live-streams the ceremony on its website for the benefit of family members and friends who are unable to attend. Cleary University keeps a permanent recording of this live-stream for archival purposes.
Cleary University will provide a photographer during commencement. Photos will be available for sale approximately one-week after the ceremony. Students will receive an email with further details on how to make a purchase.
Cleary graduates use their business arts education to become the employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders who transform the marketplace…and the world.
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