Commencement

You did it! Congratulations on your graduation. Before the big day, make sure you’ve applied for graduation and completed everything you need to do to receive your diploma!

Please note – Applications for graduation MUST be submitted by the last day of the term you wish to graduate.

What’s next?

Step 1:  Review your degree audit.

• Experience > Home > Applications > Degree Works
• Review your audit to determine if all graduation requirements show “complete” or “in progress.”
• Review your audit to determine that your program and catalog year are correct.

If you have questions about your audit, degree completion or program – please contact your navigator.

Step 2: Submit your Application for Graduation

• Experience > Students > I Need to … > Apply for Graduation

If you no longer have access to Experience, please email the Academic Records and Registrar’s office at registrar@sfccmo.edu for alternate ways to apply for graduation.

Applications for graduation MUST be submitted by the last day of the term you wish to graduate.

Caps and gowns are available for purchase from the SFCC Campus Store on the Sedalia campus or online at www.sfccbooks.com.

• Regalia is custom made for State Fair Community College. Therefore, it should not be purchased from a third-party vendor.
• To ensure proper sizing, regalia should be purchased at least one month prior to the ceremony. Sizing is based on height and weight.
• You must present the email you received from the Academic and Records and Registrar office when purchasing your regalia.
• Shipping charges may apply to all online orders.

Refunds

A 100% refund on your regalia will be issued up to one week prior to the commencement ceremony if the following conditions are met:

1. Cap, gown, and tassel must be clean, unworn, and in its original package
2. Original receipt required

Attire

Caps and gowns are navy blue. The dress code underneath your gown is business professional. Complementary colors should be worn as there is a slight “V” neckline in the gown and a portion of your shirt will show. Appropriate dress shoes should be worn (no tennis shoes, flip-flops) that are comfortable as you may be standing for long periods of time.

Caps are worn on the top of the head, not tilted off the back or side. Hairpins will help secure your cap in place.

Your tassel should be worn on the right, front-side of the cap until you are told to move it to the left.

The only accessories allowed over your gown are these authorized items:

• SFCC Cords – distributed at rehearsal and one hour prior to the commencement ceremony at the SFCC Campus Store table.
  • Academic Honor cord
  • Veteran cord
  • TRiO cord
• PTK & PBL – Contact your PBL or PTK advisor for order information.
  • Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) cord and honor stole (if you have a PTK tassel, you may wear it rather than the SFCC tassel)
  • Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) stole

Requirements for Honors Graduation

Latin Honors may be awarded at commencement to Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Arts in Teaching, Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degree graduates, based upon SFCC courses completed and institutional GPA.

• Cum Laude: 3.60-3.79
• Magna Cum Laude: 3.80-3.89
• Summa Cum Laude: 3.90-4.00

Professional certificate completers may graduate with honors based upon all SFCC courses completed and institutional GPA.

• Distinction: 3.60-3.79
• Honors: 3.80-3.89
• High Honors: 3.90-4.00

The school computes the GPA to two decimal points and does not round up. Students are reviewed for honors prior to the Commencement ceremony and after the semester concludes. Official honors will be determined after graduate’s final semester is completed.

Seating

Reserved accessible seating is available in rows I and T. If you or your guest need wheelchair accessible seating, please contact the President’s Office at (660) 596-7222 by the beginning of December. Accessible seating is limited, and reservations are encouraged.

 

Before the Ceremony

• 60 minutes before the ceremony, candidates should begin lining up, single-file and alphabetically by program, in the designated hallway. Assistants will organize the lineup and count off rows. Family and Friends can begin seating.
• Please have all personal needs taken care of before the ceremony begins and plan to attend the entire time, as certificates and degrees will not be conferred until the end.
• Please silence your cell phone before the procession begins
• You will not be allowed to carry anything with you during the procession

 

During the Ceremony

• The board of trustees, administration and faculty will lead the students in.
  Walk slowly down the aisle, one arm’s length behind the person in front of you. When you reach your seat, face the podium and remain standing. Stand as the National Anthem is sung and then be seated.
• All of the certificates and degrees will be recognized and conferred individually by groups (you will be asked to rise as they are conferred and then be seated). You will hand a card with your name and degrees/certificates to the individual who will read your name, as you walk on the stage. If you have a concern about the correct pronunciation of your name please notify the announcer. Then walk (no dancing, running, or other gestures) across the stage and shake hands with the president. You will receive an empty diploma cover.
• The marshals will cue each row one at a time when it is time to “walk”. When it is your turn to walk across the stage, hand your reader card to the individual who will read your name, then walk (no dancing, running or other gestures) across the stage and shake hands with the president. You will receive an empty diploma cover.
• Your picture will be taken two times: Once when you shake hands with the president and again when you exit the stage and then return to your seat and be seated.
• Once all of the candidates have received their diploma covers, the president will ask you to stand and move your tassel to the left and then be seated.

 

After the Ceremony

The recession will begin with the platform guests, then faculty and professional staff will exit. Candidates will then be cued to rise one row at a time to exit. Keep the exits clear so the candidates after you can exit without holding up the line.

GradImages is the official photographer for commencement.* A professional photograph will be taken of each graduate after the diploma cover is received from president of the college and after exiting the stage.

Proofs will be sent to your home and via email within three to five days after your ceremony. Pictures can be ordered online, by phone or by mail. GradImages can be contacted at (800) 261-2576 or via email at giservice@gradimages.net.

Registering with GradImages provides the information needed to deliver your proofs to you in a timely manner. Giving them an accurate mailing address and email address will allow them to get your proofs to you on the first try. You may visit their website at www.gradimages.com, and click on Registration.

*Professional photography is unavailable at the SFCC-Whiteman AFB commencement.

Diploma Mailing Address Change

Contact the Academic Records and Registrar Office at (660) 530-5289 or via email at add-drop@sfccmo.edu to request a diploma mailing address change.

If you no longer have access to Experience, please complete a Change of Contact Information Form.

 

Diploma Name Change

Contact the Academic Records and Registrar Office at (660) 530-5829 or via email at add-drop@sfccmo.edu to request a name change to be reflected on your diploma.

 

Replacement Diploma

Replacement diplomas are $20 and may be requested by completing the Diploma Replacement Request. Submit your request in person or mail to:

State Fair Community College
Academic Records and Registrar
3201 W. 16th Street
Sedalia, MO 65301