Congratulations to our graduates!

Read below for important information you’ll need to know regarding commencement for all graduates of Westminster, including students at the Dallas Campus and in the New York and London programs.

Following are the most important events of graduation week:
Rehearsal: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 – 2:30-3:30 p.m. at New Covenant Church of Philadelphia (All graduates are expected to be present at rehearsal.)
Graduation Banquet: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 – 6:00 p.m. at The Presidential
Graduation: Thursday, May 22, 2008 – 2:00 p.m. at New Covenant Church of Philadelphia

Graduation Dates & Deadlines – At a glance

Feb. 18 - Degree and regalia information due (Form #1)
Feb. 18 - Commencement fee due
Mar. 7 - Last day to submit a request to graduate in absentia
Mar. 14 - Last day to notify Academic Affairs that you will not be graduating (if applicable) and have the commencement fee held
April 21 - Last day for block reservations at the Best Western Hotel
May 2 - Banquet reservation due (Form #2)
May 21 - Graduation Rehearsal, 2:30-3:30 p.m. – New Covenant Church of Philadelphia
May 21 - Graduation Banquet, 6:00 p.m. – The Presidential
May 22 - Graduation, 2:00 p.m. – New Covenant Church of Philadelphia

Read below or click for information about: Attendance, Diploma & Regalia, Fees, Lodging, Announcements & Tickets, Rehearsal, Banquet, Ceremony.

Attendance

Westminster has a strong heritage of learning in community. Our commencement ceremony is a significant time in which this community comes together to send our graduates into the world to do the Lord’s work. Because of this, we wish for all graduates to be present at the ceremony. However, if you are not able to attend, you must request to receive your degree in absentia, which is granted only by permission of the Faculty.

If you will not be able to attend graduation, you should:
1. Submit a letter requesting permission to graduate in absentia to the Registrar, who will notify you regarding the approval of your request.
2. Let the Academic Affairs Office know the address to which your diploma/certificate should be sent.

Diploma & Regalia

Please complete Form #1 and return it to Caylan Kim in the Andreas Center (main floor) no later than Monday, February 18.

Be sure spelling, spaces, punctuation, etc. are clear.

You will be able to keep your regalia. It is made of a lightweight material and can be used several times. Certificate graduates will wear a gown and hat, but not a hood.

Purchasing Regalia: If you are a doctoral graduate, and you wish to purchase regalia instead of using the retainable regalia included in your commencement fee, you must contact the Academic Affairs Office. This regalia is made of more substantial material and costs approximately $600, depending on the material selected. If you purchase regalia, you must pay for it even if you do not graduate. These orders cannot be canceled.

When your regalia arrives, notices will be posted in the Van Til student mailroom and other locations around campus. You should plan to pick up your regalia prior to commencement in order to check the size and make sure it fits properly.

If you no longer live near campus and will be traveling to commencement, your regalia will be brought to the church on the day of rehearsal.

If you are graduating in absentia, your regalia will be mailed to you.

Commencement Fee

The fee for degree recipients is $90; the fee for certificate recipients is $70. Checks should be made out to Westminster Theological Seminary and submitted no later than February 18 with Form #1.

NOTE:
• The fee is due whether or not you attend commencement.
• The fee is not refundable. See “Holding Commencement Fee” below.
• The fee includes a charge for regalia, which you may keep.
• No portion of this fee is refundable for those who do not attend the commencement service or for those who purchase their own regalia.
• Diplomas/certificates are ordered only once a year. Late payment could mean you would not receive your diploma/certificate until a year after your graduation.

Holding Commencement Fee
If you determine that you will not be graduating this year, the final date to let the Academic Affairs Office know that you wish the Seminary to hold your commencement fee is Friday, March 14. If you do not notify Academic Affairs by this date and do not graduate, you will forfeit the fee.

Hotel

A block of rooms is reserved at the Best Western Hotel in Ft. Washington for May 21-22 at a special rate of $89.00 plus tax. You must reserve rooms by April 21 to guarantee this rate and availability.

For hotel reservations, please have your guests call (215) 542-7930 and for the special rate, inform them that you are with Westminster. The hotel’s location is convenient to the Seminary, the church, and the banquet facility.

Announcements

Each graduate will initially be given ten announcements. Let the Academic Affairs Office know if you need additional announcements.

We will not be using tickets at graduation, as the facility is quite large. Nursery services will be provided for children age 3 and under. A large cry room (restless child room!) which overlooks the auditorium and is equipped with a CCTV is also available.

Rehearsal* – Wednesday, May 21, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. at New Covenant Church of Philadelphia,
7500 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA  19119; 215-247-7500 ext. 121 (security)

For directions and/or a printable map of the area, please visit Mapquest.com

The New Covenant Church Sanctuary is not visible from Germantown Avenue. Please stop at the security gate house, which is located just inside the main gate entrance for directions to the Sanctuary, other Campus facilities and buildings. If you need guidance during your travels, please call New Covenant Campus Security at 215-247-7500, Ext. 121 for assistance. We wish you traveling mercies. God bless you!

*All graduates are expected to be at this rehearsal. Rehearsal is held the day before Commencement in order to accommodate graduates who live at a distance from the Seminary and will be arriving on Wednesday. Dr. Trueman, Vice President of Academic Affairs, will meet with the graduates for commencement rehearsal. Please assemble in the Auditorium.

Graduation Banquet – Wednesday, May 21, 6:00 p.m. at The Presidential

A banquet in honor of the graduates will be held at The Presidential. You (the graduate) and one friend or family member are guests of the Seminary. Cost for additional guests is $30.00 per person.

Banquet Reservation: Turn in Form #2 to Robin Seah in the Student Affairs Office by Friday, May 2. Any reservation forms received after this date will not be guaranteed. Please remember that all Seminary full-time faculty and staff are invited to the banquet and you do not need to include them on your form.

Seating at the banquet is open. Attire for the evening is semi-formal. Childcare is not provided.

Graduation – Thursday, May 22 at New Covenant Church of Philadelphia (please see 'Rehearsal' above for directions)

Graduates are to assemble promptly at 12:30 p.m. at the church. Graduate portraits will be taken at that time. Please do not be late. From campus, allow 20 minutes for travel. You will receive further information regarding graduation at the rehearsal.

We will not be using tickets at graduation, as the facility is quite large. Nursery services will be provided for children age 3 and under. A large cry room (restless child room!) which overlooks the auditorium and is equipped with a CCTV is also available.