Pre-planning for a Great Commencement
Caps and gowns are required to participate in commencement and are available for purchase at the SF Bookstore on the NW Campus.
- Graduates receiving their Bachelor's Degree must purchase a hood in addition to the regular regalia. Colors are program specific.
- If you are a member of an honor society or club organization that provides special regalia for graduates, please see your club sponsor or representative to order these items in advance of the ceremony.
- Optional graduation items such as personalized stationary, announcements, custom diploma frames, and rings may be ordered online at Herff Jones.
Commencement Instructions for Participants
Commencement marks the pinnacle of academic achievement and the College proudly celebrates the occasion with formal pomp and circumstance. Please help us provide a memorable event for all involved by sharing the following information with family members and guests attending commencement.
Day of Instructions
- Commencement ceremonies are held in the SF Gymnasium, Building V. Only guests with tickets will be allowed into the gym. To obtain your tickets, please check that you will be attending the ceremony on your Graduation Application. Tickets are distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. Please refer to the graduation website for ticket distribution dates.
- Graduates should arrive at the SF gym one hour prior to the ceremony. Please be dressed in cap and gown. Any personal items should be left with family members or in a secure area. We are not equipped to provide security for these items during the ceremony.
- Upon arrival, please follow the signs in the gym to the dressing rooms to sign in and pick up a READER CARD. If your name is difficult to pronounce, please write it out phonetically on the reader card for the podium speaker.
- DO NOT LOSE THE READER CARD. You will present this to the podium speaker to receive your (unofficial) diploma. Official diplomas will be mailed to you 4-6 weeks after grades post.
- For your convenience there will be a professional photographer at the ceremony. Please write your current address on the back of your READER CARD for the photographer. Your READER CARD will be given to the photographer after the ceremony.
- Once directed to line-up, you may line-up in any order. To assure sitting beside a particular individual, you MUST line up in front of or behind that person.
- Graduation Marshals will direct you into the gym.
- SF Scholars, Arts and Science Honors Program Graduates, and Phi Theta Kappa members will be given special recognition during the ceremony. [NOTE: A SF Scholar is defined as a student who has earned an overall 3.50 GPA on ALL COLLEGE COURSEWORK ATTEMPTED (this includes transfer credits in addition to SF credits).If you feel that you meet this criteria and your card is not identified, please feel free to stand when the SF Scholars are recognized.]
- You will be motioned to stand to receive your unofficial diploma. The Graduation Marshals will direct you to the stage. Proceed across the stage and present your READER CARD to the podium speaker for your name to be called then proceed across the stage to shake hands with the College President and receive your unofficial diploma. Exit the stage where the photographer will take your picture. Return to your seat and remain with your fellow graduates until the ceremony is over.
- After the “Conferring of Degrees,” the College President will instruct you to follow the ushers as they direct you, one row from each side, around the end of the seats and up the center aisle where the Graduation Marshal will lead you to the exit the gym.
- A reception for you and your guests will follow the ceremony outside the gymnasium, under the tent.
Accommodations
If you would like accommodations for a disability during the ceremony, please submit an Online Request, call Disability Resources at 352-395-4400 or, email drc@sfcollege.edu. For further information, you may call the Vice President for Student Affairs Office at 352-395-5648.
Please see Graduation FAQ’s for further information.