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Graduates may access their module for pertinent information and announcements.
Cap/Gown Information
Pick-up
Pick-up is available at times listed below. For those unable to pick up their caps/gowns during Finals Week, they will be available Saturday, prior to the ceremony, at Geyer Hall. Bags containing academic regalia should be carried carefully to avoid graduation tassels from falling out of the bag. Graduates may also want to use a warm iron on their gown, as it will be wrinkled when taking it out of the bag. Academic regalia are ordered based on responses provided on the Graduation Application. There is no charge for caps/gowns.
Trenton – Caps/gowns can be picked up during Finals Week, Monday-Friday, (May 4th-8th) in Alexander Hall from 8AM-4PM.
Savannah – Nursing, Radiology Technology, Surgical Technology, and Sonography students can pick up caps/gowns during Finals Week, Monday-Thursday (May 4th-7th). Students not in these programs can pick-up their caps/gowns on Saturday, prior to the ceremony, or make arrangements to pick them up in Trenton during Finals Week.
Attire
A cap and gown will be provided for you to wear. You will also receive an NCMC sash to wear and keep. Attire under your gown should be appropriate to honor the dignity of the ceremony. Business wear is a safe choice. “Dressy casual” is also appropriate. Jeans, hoodies, sweatpants, sweatshirts, shorts, flip-flops and tennis shoes or sneakers are not appropriate.
Other tips
Consider wearing something with pockets to carry your keys. Leave purses and wallets in the car. Dress for the weather. Wear footwear that is appropriate for the formality of the event, but also comfortable as you will cover quite a distance and need to stand for long periods of time. Bobby pins can assist in keeping your mortar board (cap) secure. Hang your gown in a steamy bathroom while taking a hot shower or smooth over with a warm iron to remove wrinkles. Do NOT get the iron too hot, as the fabric will scorch easily and may create holes.
Candidate Dress
Graduate Colors
Gold stoles and/or gold tassels signify members of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.
Royal blue stoles signify members of Alpha Beta Gamma, an international business honor society.
Double white cords signify graduates of the Level II Associate Degree Nursing program.
Single white cords signify graduates of the Level I Practical Nursing program.
Blue and blue/gold cords signify those who have earned an FFA American Farmer Degree.
Red/White/Blue cords signify U.S. military service.
Teal and black cords signify members of TRIO SSS.
Silver cords signify graduates who have earned Allied Health Degrees.
Ceremony Day
Line-Up
Please arrive for line-up with your cap/gown/tassel on. Graduates will line-up alphabetically in front of Geyer Hall at 8:15 AM (morning ceremony), 12:15PM (afternoon ceremony), 4:45PM (evening ceremony). When graduates arrive, they should line up according to the instructions provided by staff at Geyer.
IF there is violent weather, graduates will line up on the walking track in Ketcham.
The Tolling of the Bell
After lining up, the Student Senate President will mark the official beginning of the ceremony and the start of the ceremonial march by ringing the bell. The Student Senate President will then lead students down the sidewalk to join the administration and faculty as they march toward the Ketcham Community Center.
The March
The March is a tradition at NCMC and will take students from Geyer Hall to the Ketcham Community Center, where the ceremony begins. The March symbolizes students leaving the institution and transitioning to the next phase of their life.
The historical walk represents students leaving the institution and entering the next phase of their life. It’s an important NCMC tradition and the march is videotaped each year for posterity.
Violent Weather
Commencement will not be moved from the Ketcham Community Center because of inclement weather. If violent weather is predicted, a decision regarding commencement ceremony will be communicated via local radio stations, utilization of Campus Connection text messaging, and on the NCMC home page.
If the ceremony is not cancelled but violent thunderstorms ensue, participants will be asked to follow Plan B –
| Morning Ceremony Time | Afternoon Ceremony Time | Evening Ceremony Time | Group/Procedure | Violent Weather Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15AM | 12:15PM | 4:15PM | Students | Line up on walking track according to staff directions. |
| 8:30AM | 12:30PM | 4:30PM | Faculty and Platform Party | Platform and Faculty will robe in the Athletic Training Room |
| 8:50AM | 12:50PM | 4:50PM | Commencement march begins in the following order: Platform personnel Faculty Students | Platform party and faculty leave the Athletic Training Rooms and enter the auditorium through the northwest doorway when the processional music begins. Faculty Marshals lead the students from the walking track (side-by-side) down the stairs and through the lobby to the northwest auditorium door. Students proceed in to the auditorium and to their seats as directed. |
The Procession is now the same as it is for good weather.