Doctor of Ministry & Hispanic Ministries

Charlotte Graduation

Important Dates

Baccalaureate Cookout Lunch
Friday, May 15, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.
Location: Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte campus
(14542 Choate Circle, Charlotte NC 28273)
All Graduates along with their family and friends are invited to a lunch at the GCTS-Charlotte campus.

We ask that you RSVP for this lunch at TBA.

Charlotte Baccalaureate Service
Friday, May 15, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
Speaker: TBA
Graduates must arrive at the church by 6:00 p.m. for robing
Graduates must wear academic regalia

Charlotte Commencement Service
Saturday, May 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
Location: TBA
Speaker: TBA
Graduates must arrive at the church by 9:00 a.m. for robing
Graduates must wear academic regalia

Important Deadlines

Please pay close attention to these deadlines!
March 20: Order extra graduation announcements here.
Beginning March 29:  Graduation Announcements will be placed in the mail.
No later than April 15: Notify Doctor of Ministry Office, via email [email protected] if you will not be attending Commencement.
No later than April 15: Click here to request a letter of appreciation from Dr. Hollinger.

Regalia

All regalia will be available at the Baccalaureate location on Friday, May 15 after 5:30 p.m. After Commencement, graduates may keep their regalia.

Location & Directions

Times & Locations of Assembly

Graduates will assemble as follows at Gordon College:

Baccalaureate Service:

No later than 6:00 pm @ TBA. It takes one hour to robe and arrange the proper line for procession.  In order for graduates to be placed within their respective degree program, it is imperative that all graduates be on time with cap, tassel and gown.

Commencement Service:

No later than 8:15 am at the TBA.

Men, please wear a white shirt, tie, dark slacks, and dark shoes. Ladies may dress in a similar fashion (dark shoes go best with the black robes).

Once you arrive at the venue, a staff member will direct you to the robing area. GCTS staff will also be available to assist you with your robing and hooding needs. We need you to be prompt and ready to be seated by the times indicated above. For both events, we need ample time to discuss marching (procession/recession), receiving of degrees and other related issues. Plan accordingly, and please, out of respect for your classmates, do not be late. Caps should be worn about 2” above the eyebrow. Tassels go on the left side and are not moved. Gentlemen remove caps when the president removes his. Ladies wear caps at all times. Hoods are worn on the shoulder with no draping to one side. The satin should be curled to look like an actual hood in the back.

Accommodations

A list of hotels in the Charlotte, NC area can be found TBA.

Graduation Day

Commencement:

An Event for Graduates and Family Members
All are welcome.  There is no limit to the number of family members and friends invited; however, we kindly request that graduates who currently serve a church, limit their guests to an appropriate number of church members.  We want to ensure that we can accommodate family members of all graduates. No tickets needed.

Commencement Morning:

The venue where Commencement will be held, will open at 9:00 a.m. The building itself will open at 7:00 a.m. Early arrivers may wait in designated areas where there will be chairs available for their use. Only authorized personnel will be allowed in the auditorium before 9:00 a.m.

Photograph with President Sunquist:

Anyone wishing to take a photograph with the seminary’s President, Dr. Scott Sunquist, may do so by going to TBA.  Dr. Sunquist will be available up to 1:00 p.m.  A staff person will be present to direct graduates in taking turns for the photographs.

Professional Photos

Graduation Portraits will be taken by our photographer on the evening of the Baccalaureate Service, Friday, May 15 at TBA. If you are interested in purchasing graduation portraits, you will need to preorder at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ycfknavk.

The cost for this service is $10 and includes the photography session as well as digital copies of the high resolution pictures. Payment should be brought with you in the form of cash or check (made out to GCTS) at the time of your photography session. Once you have filled out the preorder form, you will be contacted to schedule your portrait.

If you have any questions about graduation portraits, please email [email protected].

Live Streaming & DVDs

Live Video Streaming for both Baccalaureate and Commencement will be available for those who are unable to attend in person. Watch at http://www.gordonconwell.edu/live. The live stream will begin 15 minutes prior to each event.

If you would like to order a digital copy of the entirety of the Baccalaureate Service and/or Commencement Exercises, please fill out a video order form.

The Baccalaureate sermon, Commencement address, and student remarks will be posted to YouTube for free viewing. Visit our YouTube page