Friday – Picnic
The Student Development staff will host a picnic on Derthick lawn for graduates, faculty, and staff at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 2. All graduates are welcome to attend.

Seminary Meal
Emmanuel will host a meal for graduating seminary students on Saturday, May 3. Students will receive further details from Dr. Kastens in the coming weeks.

Blessing Service
All graduates, families, faculty, and staff are invited and encouraged to attend “Benediction: A Service of Blessing for Our Graduates,” a worship service led by faculty and students. The service will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, in Seeger Memorial Chapel. Tickets are not required.

Dining Hall on Saturday
Lunch will be available for purchase in the McCormick Dining Center from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Lunch offerings include a hot buffet, a salad bar, and a pizza bar. The price per adult is $9. Children ages 5-11 may eat for $4.50 each, and children ages 4 and under may eat for free.

Graduation regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) will be available in the bookstore beginning March 28. The prices for regalia (plus tax) are as follows: Undergraduate: $58.95; Graduate $108.95; Doctoral $132.95. Undergraduate regalia sets include a graduation robe with the Milligan logo on the front (new this year), a mortar board cap, and a tassel. Graduation regalia sets include a master’s or doctoral graduation robe with the Milligan logo on the front (new this year), a master’s or doctoral hood, a mortar board cap, and a tassel.

Graduation announcements and time/place cards are available in the bookstore for $9.99 plus tax (package of five).

All graduates should wear their caps, gowns, and tassels to the ceremony. Graduate students should bring their hoods to the ceremony and carry them in the graduation line. Graduate program directors will hood the students as they cross the stage.

Honors for undergraduate students are calculated based on the anticipated cumulative grade point average at the end of the spring 2025 semester (Summa Cum Laude: 3.95 – 4.0, Magna Cum Laude: 3.75 – 3.94, Cum Laude: 3.5 – 3.74). Honors calculations are based on the cumulative GPA from the official transcript, which is truncated at the thousandths place. The GPA on the student transcript in Self-Service is truncated at the hundredths place. (Example: A GPA that appears as 3.75 in Self-Service might be a 3.749 on the official transcript.)

Honor cords will be distributed at commencement rehearsal.

Childcare will be provided free of charge in the Runner classroom (downstairs on the mid-level) during both commencement ceremonies and the Blessing Service. Parents of young children are encouraged to take advantage of this service.

Students who borrowed federal loans are required to complete loan counseling. A Student Financial Services representative will contact students with more information. Students with questions may contact Erica Stone (EMStone@milligan.edu or 423.975.8050) or Elizabeth Williams (LEWilliams@milligan.edu or 423.461.8967).

Only students who have met all obligations (parking tickets, financial, academic, testing, library, etc.) receive diplomas. Students enrolled in traditional undergraduate programs who have not completed all required SFP
(Spiritual Formation Program) requirements may participate in the commencement ceremony but will not receive a diploma or a degree until all requirements are completed.

To make arrangements for guests with special seating needs, contact Stacy Dahlman.

The ceremony will be broadcast online at milligan.edu/streaming for friends and family members who are unable to attend.

Click here for information about visiting campus and hotel accommodations.