Spring 2022 Commencement Procedures

Commencement Ceremony Procedures 

An in-person commencement rehearsal for the McLennan 2022 Spring Commencement Exercises. The 2022 Spring Commencement Exercises will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. May 10, 2022, at the Ferrell Center at Baylor University.  Please arrive by 6:15 p.m. to be processed into your line.

Rehearsal

Rehearsal will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Ferrell Center. Please arrive by 9:30 to ensure you have time to find your seat and complete your Flash Photography card. During rehearsal we will go over information listed below as well as showing you where line up will happen and how we will enter the ceremony.

Attire

Graduates should obtain caps, gowns, and tassels from the McLennan Community College Bookstore prior to the ceremony and wear these items to the ceremony.

Graduates should secure valuables before the ceremony begins. Graduates should not carry purses or other objects.  

Graduates should wear nice attire under their robes. We ask that you dress in business casual attire.

Caps should be worn with the top flat rather than slanted with tassels on the right side of the cap during the ceremony. This will provide the best picture.

Graduates may decorate their caps. All decorations must be flat and should not extend no more than 1 inch in height. Graduates will be asked to change to a cap provided if decorations do not meet the guidelines or the decorations are deemed inappropriate or offensive. We asked that you do not attach large bows. Bows can distort the picture and affect other’s view of the stage.

Ceremony Information 

  1. The ceremony will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.
  2. The processional will begin with the Celtex Pipes & Drum playing a song.
  3. The stage party will process in first, followed by faculty staff, and finally by graduates.
  4. Graduates should remain standing until directed to be seated.
  5. The presiding officer will ask those who are veterans or active military to stand and be recognized. Next, the presiding officer will ask everyone to stand for the National Anthem, and men should remove their caps.
  6. After the National Anthem, the presiding officer will direct everyone to be seated, and caps should be put back on.
  7. The speaker will then provide their challenge to graduates.
  8. The Vice President of Instruction & Student Engagement and the President of the McLennan Community College Board of Trustees will direct the graduates to stand for the certification.
  9. The graduates will be certified.
  10. The graduates will be directed to be seated.
  11. The Vice President of Instruction & Student Engagement will direct the graduates to come to the stage. Ushers will direct graduates to come to the stage one row at a time, to be congratulated and to take a picture. Graduates will bring their name card and diploma to the stage. The name card will be given to the presenter at the podium.
  12. The presenter will announce the names of the graduates as they step up to the stage. The graduates will walk to the middle of the stage with their diploma and take a picture. Face coverings may be removed for all pictures. The College President and another member of the stage party will be included in the picture. Social distancing will be maintained as the picture is taken. (Due to COVID-19 safety precautions graduates will not shake hands with members of the stage party.)  The graduates will exit the stage and take a second picture.Graduates will return to their seat.
  13. The Special Presentation of Highest Honor Graduates will occur at the end of the ceremony. Highest Honor Graduates will be seated together. The Highest Honor Graduates will walk to the stage with their row bringing their name card, diploma, and honor plaque.
  14. Before the Highest Honor Graduate names are announced, the Vice President of Instruction & Student Engagement will say a few words about the significance of being a Highest Honor Graduate.
  15. The Highest Honor Graduates will give their name card to the presenter to be announced individually. The Highest Honor Graduates will walk to the middle of the stage and remain there while the presenter reads the Highest Honor Graduate personal biographical information.
  16. The Highest Honor Graduates will take a picture at the center stage. Face coverings may be removed for all pictures. The College President and another member of the stage party will be included in the picture. Social distancing will be maintained as the picture is taken. (Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, graduates will not shake hands with members of the stage party.) The Highest Honor Graduates will exit the stage, take a second picture, and return to their seats.
  17. The ceremony will be completed as listed in the program.
  18. Before the presidential stage party exits the stage, the presiding officer will direct the graduates to move their tassels from the right to the left side of their caps.
  19. After the presidential stage party exits the stage, the graduates will be directed to exit to the corridor.

Guest Information

Click here for directions & map for Baylor University. You can view the parking map here.

Parking is available in lots A (handicap), C, and D.

Baylor University has implemented a clear bag policy for the Ferrell Center. Please visit this link for information on the policy.

Along with the clear bag policy linked above, flowers, balloons, and outside food and drink (except for a clear water bottle) are not permitted to enter the Ferrell Center. Guests please note that should you bring these items, your entrance into the Ferrell Center will be delayed.