East Central College has one commencement ceremony per year in May. Fall, spring, and summer graduates whom have applied by the February 15 spring deadline are invited to attend the spring ceremony. Summer candidates for graduation who submit their applications after the spring deadline will be invited to attend the ceremony the following spring.
Rehearsal for commencement will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 17. Additional information about rehearsal will be sent to students who have applied for graduation during the spring 2013 semester.
Looking your best and conducting yourself in a manner appropriate to the decorum of this time-honored ceremony are ways you can show pride in your accomplishment. Be sure someone brings a camera for pictures before or after the ceremony. Please leave the beach balls and silly string at home. Even if you may not personally care about preserving the dignity and decorum of the commencement ceremony, please do not spoil it for those who are proud of their accomplishment.
Tassels are to be worn on the right side of the cap. Caps are to be worn flat on the head. As soon as you purchase regalia take it out of the packaging, check the size, and hang up to remove wrinkles. (If you must iron the gown for any stubborn wrinkles be sure to use the lowest or cool setting, or it may melt the fabric.)
| Women |
Most women prefer to wear a dress, suit or skirt and blouse, although dress slacks are also appropriate. Try to choose a dress or skirt with a hemline that does not extend below the gown. Leave your purse with family or friends. Do not wear a corsage on your gown.
|
| Men | Please wear a white or light colored dress shirt and tie. Although some consider the tie optional, the shirt collar and tie are visible at the throat of the gown. Since the gown is black, dark dress slacks look best. Do not wear a boutonniere on your gown. |
All commencement participants must dress in academic regalia, which is available to purchase online at: www.herffjones.com/college/eastcentral. Cap and gown sets are $29.50 plus tax, payable when it is picked up at the ECC Bookstore. Graduates who already have their own cap and gown and don't need to order any academic regalia from the Bookstore should email: grad@eastcentral.edu to notify the Registrar's Office that they plan to participate in the ceremony.
The Bookstore has announcements available for purchase. They are $7.50 for a set of 10. If you have questions, the Bookstore can be reached at 636-584-6227.
Please inform the Graduation Office immediately of any special arrangements that will enable you to participate fully in the commencement exercises by calling 636-584-6553.
Professional photos will be taken at the ceremony and will be available for purchase through Grad Images. The photographer will be available during rehearsal to give special instructions for the ceremony that evening. A $5 discount will be available on any photo order over $25 when graduates register their email address prior to graduation. Register your email address now by clicking the Grad Images link.
If you would like to have a gold tassel and/or stole to wear at commencement, and you have not completed the chapter's 5-Star Member program requirements, you have 2 options:
Tickets will NOT be required for guests.
Reserved seating for guests is not available, as seating is on a first-come basis. The bottom row of the bleachers will be reserved for guests with special needs. Elevator access is available from any level of the MP Building.
Commencement guests are requested to remain in their seats during the entire ceremony (which lasts approximately 70 minutes).
Graduates are requested to prearrange a meeting place with their guests at a location outside the building. Finding them may be difficult after the ceremony. A reception will be held in the cafeteria at the conclusion of the ceremony.
