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•  THERE WILL BE NO REHEARSAL FOR COMMENCEMENT, so it is important that you study the following graduation procedures carefully so that you will move through the event with poise. 

•  The graduation commencement exercise begins at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Southcrest Baptist Church, which is located at 3801 S. Loop 289 in Lubbock, TX. It will end at approximately 11:30 AM.

•  All graduating students will be properly robed for the ceremony. Decorated caps or wearing any accessories not part of the official element of academic regalia will not be permitted. Men should wear black shoes, dark trousers, light shirts and ties. Ladies should wear black shoes, dark skirts and light blouses, or dark dresses. The caps and gowns are ordered from the information students provide on the graduation application. You will be notified when the caps and gowns arrive, and they will be available for pick up at the Lubbock Campus. Please pick up your cap and gown prior to graduation and have it pressed for the ceremony.

• Students will arrive at Southcrest Baptist Church, enter through Door C and assemble in The Venue at 9:00 AM. All students will dress in their regalia and be briefed on the protocol of the commencement exercise.

• There will be several Wayland faculty members acting as marshals to help direct you through the ceremony.

•  Graduates will find their names on the chairs provided and have a seat. These chairs are arranged in groups for the ceremonial presentation according to the students’ highest level of earned degree: master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s. Approximately 15 minutes before the ceremony final instructions will be given. Latin honor designations will be awarded at this time.

•  Promptly at 10:00 AM, the marshals will lead the students in the march to The Worship Center. A marshal will direct you into the proper seating rows.

•  After entering The Worship Center, remain standing until the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance are completed. Men will remove their caps during this time.

•  At direction from the platform, the marshals at each end of the row will motion for the first row of graduates to stand and follow the designated path toward the stage. Students graduating with the master’s degree will enter the stage as your name is called and walk to the University representatives who are hooding the candidates. After being hooded, you will receive your diploma folder and have your picture taken.

•  Students graduating with the bachelor’s degree and/or associate’s degree will enter the stage as your name is called and walk across the stage to receive your diploma folder and have your picture taken.

•  After the degree is conferred and everyone has returned to the seating area, the bachelor’s degree graduates will be directed to change the tassel on their caps from the right side to the LEFT SIDE.

•  At the conclusion of the ceremony, the marshals followed by the faculty will lead graduates from The Worship Center

•  The marshals will lead the graduates to return to The Worship Center following the ceremony to pose for the graduating class picture.

•  Actual diplomas and official transcripts will be given to the graduates separate from the folder given during the ceremony and distributed in The Venue by the Wayland staff after graduates return from taking the group picture in The Worship Center

•  Please note that you may want to leave any personal items with family members, as there will not be a place to secure your belongings in the church.

If you would like individual pictures taken, Mark McCall Photography will be set up at 9:00 AM outside the hospitality area to take pictures both before and after the ceremony. Packages, prices, and order forms will be available at his booth. If you have any questions, you may contact Mark McCall at (806) 686-1010 or mmphotography@suddenlink.net.