When and where is commencement rehearsal?
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: The Balsam Center on the Jackson Campus
Check-in will be held prior to rehearsal beginning in the Balsam Center lobby.
Check-in will be held prior to rehearsal beginning in the Balsam Center lobby.
When and where is Spring 2025 commencement?
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: Health Sciences: 10 a.m., Arts & Sciences: 12:30 p.m., Career Technologies: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Myers Auditorium, inside the Balsam Center on SCC's Jackson Campus in Sylva.
*Arrival of guests and graduates must be prior to the start time of the ceremony attending. Visit the Commencement page for full schedule.
Can the ceremony be viewed remotely?
Yes, the ceremony will be streamed live. Livestream Link: *Available the day of the ceremony. Ceremony Livestream Link
What do I wear for commencement?
All graduates must wear the current dark blue SCC cap and gown to march. A graduation kit (cap, gown & tassel) can be purchased from the SCC bookstore, located on the first floor of the Burrell building on the Jackson campus. There are no specific requirements for your shoes or outfit worn with the SCC regalia. Purchased caps may be decorated, if desired.
All graduates must wear the current dark blue SCC cap and gown to march. A graduation kit (cap, gown & tassel) can be purchased from the SCC bookstore, located on the first floor of the Burrell building on the Jackson campus. There are no specific requirements for your shoes or outfit worn with the SCC regalia. Purchased caps may be decorated, if desired.
What are Latin Honors?
Near the end of the semester, the Registrar will rank graduation candidates for associate degrees or diplomas according to their current program GPA (calculated prior to current semester final grades). Each program GPA will be rounded to two decimal places. This will be the GPA used to determine honors for the Commencement Ceremony.
Near the end of the semester, the Registrar will rank graduation candidates for associate degrees or diplomas according to their current program GPA (calculated prior to current semester final grades). Each program GPA will be rounded to two decimal places. This will be the GPA used to determine honors for the Commencement Ceremony.
-
Each candidate with a program GPA from 3.90 to 4.00 will graduate summa cum laude.
-
Each candidate with a program GPA from 3.70 to 3.89 will graduate magna cum laude.
-
Each candidate with a program GPA from 3.50 to 3.69 will graduate cum laude.
Once all final grades have been entered, the Registrar will check the final program GPA for graduates and update honors levels as necessary. Updated honors will appear on diplomas and official transcripts.
If eligible, when will I receive my Latin Honor cord?
Students who earn Latin Honors will receive their honor cord at check-in for the Commencement ceremony.
Students who earn Latin Honors will receive their honor cord at check-in for the Commencement ceremony.
What honor cords, stoles, or tassels can I wear?
Only academic regalia pertaining to honor societies or acquired from SCC may be worn.
No souvenir stoles or cords will be permitted for use during the ceremony. Please review the Appropriate Honor Society Academic Regalia for more details.
Only academic regalia pertaining to honor societies or acquired from SCC may be worn.
No souvenir stoles or cords will be permitted for use during the ceremony. Please review the Appropriate Honor Society Academic Regalia for more details.
What side should the tassel be on?
Prior to the ceremony, tassels should hang on the right. During the ceremony, you will be instructed to move your tassel over to the left side to signify you have graduated.
Prior to the ceremony, tassels should hang on the right. During the ceremony, you will be instructed to move your tassel over to the left side to signify you have graduated.
Can I send commencement announcements?
Announcements are available for purchase online through Herff-Jones. SCC does not offer announcements and they will not be included in graduation kits ordered. Announcements are not required for entrance to any commencement ceremonies.
Announcements are available for purchase online through Herff-Jones. SCC does not offer announcements and they will not be included in graduation kits ordered. Announcements are not required for entrance to any commencement ceremonies.
How many people can I invite to commencement?
As many as you would like. No tickets or fee will be required of your guests to attend your graduation.
Please provide an estimated number of guests attending and any updates to that amount to the Registrar's Office to anticipate the most accurate head count possible.
As many as you would like. No tickets or fee will be required of your guests to attend your graduation.
Please provide an estimated number of guests attending and any updates to that amount to the Registrar's Office to anticipate the most accurate head count possible.
Can guests take photos at commencement?
Yes, but please be mindful of any flash photography or blocking the view of other guests. SCC photographers will be taking pictures before, during, and after each ceremony as well.
Yes, but please be mindful of any flash photography or blocking the view of other guests. SCC photographers will be taking pictures before, during, and after each ceremony as well.
What if I need accommodations for attending the ceremony?
If you or a guest need assistance or accommodations for attending or participating in commencement; such as navigating stairs, moving across the stage, hearing or seeing the ceremony, or any other related activity, please contact the Student Accessibility Office by calling 828.339.4398, emailing accessibility@southwesterncc.edu or visiting office 129A in the Balsam Center on our Jackson Campus.
When will I cross the stage?
Graduates may line up in any order prior to entering commencement and will cross the stage according to seating order. Name cards received at check-in must be held onto in line to present the speaker on stage.
Graduates may line up in any order prior to entering commencement and will cross the stage according to seating order. Name cards received at check-in must be held onto in line to present the speaker on stage.
When will I get my diploma(s)?
Physical paper diplomas will be mailed approximately 6 - 8 weeks following graduation.
Parchment digital credentials will be issued approximately 2 - 4 weeks after graduation.
- An email from Parchment will be delivered to your SCC email address with a link to claim your credential(s). This service will allow you to have permanent online access to a secure official digital version of your diploma- for free! This makes it easy to share your credentials with employers, social media, family, or however you'd like!
If you have questions regarding your Graduation status, application, or receiving your diploma, please contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@southwesterncc.edu
