The graduation ceremonies at Southwestern Adventist University are both formal academic ceremonies and religious services. We want to honor the graduates on this joyous occasion, but even more, we want to honor God. We require that all participants in the services behave with appropriate dignity. This year’s ceremonies will take place on December 13 & 14, 2023.

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, thus blocking views of the ceremony. 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.

Graduation is an event that celebrates students’ academic achievements.  All University policies regarding dress are in effect for these weekend services. Southwestern Adventist University requires that graduates not wear jewelry or carry anything other than a diploma case while participating in these programs. Graduates are expected to wear shoes. (No one will be allowed to march in flip-flops or barefoot.) No messages or pictures may be attached to graduation regalia, though flowers are acceptable. We also expect graduates to refrain from disrupting the processional or the distribution of diplomas with personal demonstrations.  Appropriate graduation regalia at Southwestern Adventist University includes symbols of academic achievement, such as academic honor cords, National Honor Society cords or medallions, etc.  Ethnic stoles may be worn with prior approval from the Office of Academic Administration.  Items such as club/association symbols, leis of any kind, and departmental medallions not associated with academic achievement will not be allowed.  Students may wear small departmental pins, such as those traditionally given to nursing graduates. 

If there is no balance on the student account and the graduate has completed exit loan counseling, diplomas will be mailed an estimated six weeks after graduation. Graduates should update their address at the Department of Records office prior to graduation.

No shuttle service will be provided.

To ensure that all students have a good photograph of the moment when they receive their diploma, the university has arranged for a professional photographer to take pictures. A few days after graduation, one free 5x7 watermarked print will be sent to each graduate. Additional photos may be ordered at that time. 

Guests with special needs may telephone the Student Services office at 817-202-6219 or email them at studentservices@swau.edu. An accessible section with a good view is reserved for guests in wheelchairs along with one attendant. 

Regalia may be ordered at swau.shopoakhalli.com. Place your orders by November 19, 2023. A cap and gown are required for all candidates participating in the commencement ceremony. When submitting your order, please use your 5-digit SWAU ID#. Do NOT enter the first two zeros in your ID#. For example, use 12345, NOT 0012345.

No messages or pictures may be attached to graduation regalia, though flowers are acceptable. Email cap decoration pictures for approval to Dr. Berkner dberkner@swau.edu.

Ethnic/cultural representation sashes are optional and may be ordered at www.visionwear.com. If you have any questions regarding representation, please contact Dean James The at jthe@swau.edu.

Graduation is a ticketed event, meaning that entrance to the program is by tickets only! Each graduate is set to receive 7 to 10 tickets. For additional information or to request additional tickets, please contact Dean James The at jthe@swau.edu or 817-202-6719.

Graduation class dues are a mandatory non-refundable fee that covers expenses such as class gifts, 25 graduation announcements, and miscellaneous class activities. The amount of this fee is $225. This fee applies to campus as well as SWAUonline 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 be a guest graduate at Southwestern Adventist University, please contact Johanna Penick at johanna@swau.edu. A guest graduate is one that has completed their degree program at another institution, but would like to have their degree presented at an SWAU commencement ceremony. Guest graduates are responsible for providing their own regalia (including hood, if applicable), diploma cover, and the names of the people hooding the candidate (if applicable). 

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

Juniors need to start preparing for graduation three semesters before they are ready to march. For most, this will mean the spring semester of the junior year. Here's how:

• Fill out a contract for graduation with an academic advisor. 

• After obtaining an advisor’s signature, bring your contract to Johanna Penick in the Department of Records. 

• Look for an email from the Department of Records with approval or further instructions.