All candidates must participate in commencement service. The commencement ceremonies at Southwestern Adventist University are both formal academic ceremonies and religious services.

Out of respect for all involved, guests and participants shall refrain from disrupting the ceremony with personal demonstrations. Confetti, air horns, and silly string must not be used in any of the facilities used for graduation services throughout the commencement ceremonies. Guests are not to bring placards or signs to the ceremonies. Under no circumstances are guests to stand on seats. Fire regulations forbid anyone to congregate or sit on the stairs or in the aisles. Only the official photographer and other photographers employed by the university may take photographs in the roped-off area at the front. Video tripods cannot block aisles.

All University policies regarding dress are in effect. Participants may carry only official regalia and approved attire items to the ceremony. Appropriate regalia includes symbols of academic achievement, such as academic honor cords, National Honor Society cords or medallions, and departmental pins, etc. Stoles may be worn with prior approval from the Office of Academic Administration.  Items such as club/association symbols and departmental medallions not associated with academic achievement will not be allowed.

Diplomas are processed after final grades are posted and all degree requirements are verified. Timing may vary.

Participant parking is located at the Chan Shun Library. 
The Leiske-Pultar Gymnasium parking lot is reserved for guests and accessible parking. 
Additional parking is available at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church. 
Shuttle service will be provided from campus parking lots to the gymnasium.

The university has arranged for a professional photographer to capture each student receiving their diploma. Graduates will receive one free 5x7 watermarked print, with the option to order additional photos after graduation.

For more information, please contact Josafat Zemleduch at josa.zem@swau.edu.

Guests with special needs may contact the Student Services office at studentservices@swau.edu.

Candidates may order their regalia after receiving an email from the Records Office with detailed instructions. 

Each candidate may receive 25 FREE invitations. You may place your order at www.cbgrad.com.

• December Commencement
  • This is not a ticketed event
• May Commencement
  • Entrance to the Commencement Service is by ticket only. Tickets will be distributed at the mandatory Commencement Rehearsal.

For additional information or to request additional tickets, please contact Dean James The at jthe@swau.edu.

Graduation class dues are a mandatory non-refundable fee that covers expenses such as class gift, 25 graduation announcements, and miscellaneous class activities. The amount of this fee is voted by the senior class each year. This fee applies to campus as well as SWAU online Program students. When a student returns to obtain an additional degree and graduation dues were paid as an initial Southwestern graduate, only half of the dues will be required for each subsequent graduation class. Graduation dues are charged to the student account at the beginning of the semester in which the student will graduate.

If you would like to participate as a guest graduate at Southwestern Adventist University, please contact Zeimaliz Morales-Burgos at zeimaliz@swau.edu.

A guest graduate is someone who completed their degree at another institution but wishes to participate in the SWAU May commencement ceremony.

Requirements:

• Provide a letter of degree completion or approval for graduation candidacy from your home institution.
• Provide your own regalia (cap, gown, and hood, if applicable).
• Provide your own diploma cover.
• Pay a $125 participation fee at the cashier’s window located in the Business Office at the Findley Building or call to pay over the phone with a credit/debit card (817) 202-6299
• You will be hooded by the SWAU Academic VP.

Note: Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis for May commencement only.

Juniors in their second semester must complete a Graduation Plan with their advisor and submit it to the Records office for approval.

Steps to Complete:

• Fill out the Graduation Plan form with your academic advisor.
• Both student and advisor must review and sign the Graduation Plan
• Email the completed Graduation Plan to: zeimaliz@swau.edu
  • Subject line: Your Name – Graduation Plan
  • CC your advisor
• Important: Pictures or in-person submissions will not be accepted.