Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Last minute reminders and advice for grads

By Rachel Satterwhite

resatterwhite@vwc.edu

The day of graduation is quickly approaching: May 16. Seniors are busy trying to make sure they have all their requirements in order to walk. These last few weeks of the semester are busy. Internships are finishing up, classes are ending, exams are coming up, and plans for the future are being arranged.

In order to graduate, a student must to have completed a minimum of 120 credit hours with at least a 2.0 GPA, with the exception of interdivisional and individualized, humanities, and social studies majors, which require at least a 2.5 GPA. However, potential graduates who are only two classes short may apply for the  Two-Course Rule to the Registrar, take the classes over the summer and still participate in May graduation.

To graduate with Latin Honors a student must meet a number of requirements. During their his or her college career, 60 of 120 credit hours must be completed at Virginia Wesleyan College. Students must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA in major classes and 3.4 cum GPA, and at least six semester hours of 300/400 classes from two different divisions. Cum laude requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4. Magna cum laude requires at least a 3.6 cumulative GPA and recommendation of department or division. Summa cum laude requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.8, a faculty vote and six semester hours of independent research at the 300/400 level certified by the faculty supervisor.

According to Dean of the College Timothy O Rourke, the Registrar recently presented this year s summa cum laude nominees to be voted upon by faculty.

 Any reason not to approve them? is really what is being asked for, said O Rourke.

Last year for the first time, students were permitted to wear an honor cord. However, only one cord is allowed, not to distract from the overall appearance. Also last year, the graduation committee voted to allow summer graduates to wear a hood and tassel along with their peers.

 The marks of graduation are really the tassel and hood, said O Rourke.

The other marks of appearance tied with graduation are the caps and gowns. The gowns will be available to pick up from the Business Office starting on May 11 if the student s account has been cleared. Account balances need to be paid by noon on May 8. Underneath the gown, graduates are to wear dark dress attire and black dress shoes. Graduates are to arrive in the C-MAC on graduation day at 10 a.m. with caps and gowns. Students are asked not to bring purses or items of value. Caps and gowns are to be returned immediately after graduation activities to the C-MAC, where students can pick up their diplomas.

May 13 at noon will be the graduation rehearsal. A make-up rehearsal will be held at 6 p.m. The Baccalaureate service will be held on May 15 at Epworth United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. with a reception before at 6:15 p.m. May 16 is graduation at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at 12:30 in the Boyd Dining Hall.

The procession of Class of 2009, with roughly 200 students, will begin with Robert Aaron and finish with Torrance Zeiler.