Graduate Ceremony Instructions for Students
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I receive my diploma?
All May 2025 undergraduate and graduate students, who have their degree requirements verified and the degree posted, will be mailed their diploma following the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed USPS to the diploma address as listed on the graduation application and should be received no later than the second week of June. Graduates who have had a change to their submitted diploma address need to notify regoffice@mcdaniel.edu prior to Monday, May 12.
Does my graduate degree program appear on my diploma?
No major, minor, or specialization will appear on the diploma. The diploma represents the degree earned.
Graduate students will have their name and either the Master of Science or Master of Liberal Arts listed depending on the degree earned and the official graduation date.
The degree earned, graduation date, major(s), and any completed minors and/or specializations are listed on your transcript. Your official educational record is the transcript.
How can I purchase photos from Commencement?
Classic Photography will be capturing your graduation photos during your 2025 commencement ceremony. Proofs and ordering information will be sent directly to each graduate's McDaniel email account a few days after the ceremony.
Student Instructions
Things to Remember
- Stay in line and follow the Marshal.
- Tassel is on the left of the cap, and the cap is parallel to the floor (not on the back of your head).
- Those who identify as male should remove caps for the following: National Anthem, Alma Mater.
- Please wait for your name to be read before crossing the stage.
Robing/Line Up
Students should report to Baker Memorial Chapel by 10 a.m. (Rain site: Old Gill Gym.) Please be on time.
- Pick up your name card at a table outside the Chapel lobby.
- Master's degree candidates will be hooded on the stage during the ceremony so please bring your hood with you over your right forearm.
- Find your correct place in line according to your line-up number and be seated in the chairs. On your line-up card, you will find instructions regarding where to sit in the chairs in Baker Memorial Chapel.*
- Listen to the instructions given by the Marshals; when told to stand and move, follow the person in front of you. It is very important to be in the proper place so that you will be on stage when your name is read. Please do not try to second guess the line-up; just be where you are assigned and you will be correct.
* SPECIAL NOTE: On certain cards, there is the notation, “Start a New Row.” It is important that you start a new row. Do this even if there are empty seats in the preceding row. An asterisk “*” on a card indicates the second person in a row. Please make sure the person in front of you has a card marked “Start a New Row” and that this person remembers to start a new row. Also, the last person in a row has the marking “Last Person in Row." The Marshals will need to know that you are the first person or the last person, so tell them as you enter the row.
Processional
Leaves Baker Memorial Chapel at 10:45 a.m., moves through Memorial Plaza (Red Square) and then on to the Gill Center. It is very important that the processional leaves the Chapel on time. Five minutes prior, a final check will be made, and missing people will be marked absent. At this time, the Marshals will take control of the processional.
- Stay in the correct line.
- Check the person in front and in back of you to ensure that the three of you are correct.
- Remember to “start a new row” if you are the designated person and tell the Marshal.
Degree Awarding
At the proper time in the ceremony, the President will indicate that we will now award the degrees approved by the faculty. Candidates will be asked to stand. At this point, follow the instructions from the Marshal who will come down and give row-by-row instructions. As you pass the Marshal when you leave your row of seats, say your name so that it can be checked against the master list.
Students should come to the platform on instruction with your hood draped over your right forearm. After climbing the steps on the right side of the platform move to the X taped on the floor and stop there to be hooded. When you feel the tap on your right arm and your name is called, proceed to the center of the platform to receive your diploma tube. Take the diploma tube in your left hand so you can shake hands with the President (pause here and look to the photographer so a picture can be taken) and Trustee with your right hand. Continue off the platform on the left side, move to the spot for a second photo, and then continue down the left aisle (as you face front) back to your row as directed by the Marshal, and then move to your seat and sit down.
Recessional
Reverse order of processional. Stay in line until you are past Albert Norman Ward Hall.
The recessional will be in reverse order of the processional. After the platform party, trustees, and faculty have left the stage, follow the directions of the Marshals. Graduates will be directed to move to the center aisle, pair up with the person coming from the other side of the row, and then process to the rear of Gill through the lobby area. Take direction from the Marshal.
STAY IN LINE AND KEEP MOVING UNTIL YOU ARE PAST ALBERT NORMAN WARD HALL. PLEASE DO NOT STOP OR STEP OUT OF LINE TO GREET RELATIVES. You should designate a meeting place near the Hoover Library where you can meet family and friends once you have recessed to Merritt Hall Plaza. You may also wish to ring the Old Main Bell at this time and take pictures.
