Congratulations from Lincoln Christian University! The information listed below will assist you in planning your celebration of this milestone. Soon you will be among the more than 6,000 LCU graduates who committed their lives to serving Christ around the world.
Commencement Information
Commencement for 2020 Graduates (August 2019, December 2019, and May 2020) is at 9:00 a.m. outdoors behind the Earl C Hargrove Chapel with socially-distanced seating in the Laughlin Center parking lot.
- 2020 Graduates should meet in front of the Earl C Hargrove Chapel with cap and gown by 7:45 a.m. for instructions and group pictures.
- Please leave all personal belongings with family members or friends.
- Students will line up for the processional in the Laughlin Center (behind the Chapel).
- Students must participate from the start to the end of the program. At the end of the ceremony, students will be escorted to a designated area to hand in their red diploma covers to representatives of the Registrar’s Office.
- In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors. Each student will be given two tickets for guests.
Commencement for 2021 Graduates (August 2020, December 2020, and May 2021) is at 2:00 p.m. outdoors behind the Earl C Hargrove Chapel with socially-distanced seating in the Laughlin Center parking lot.
- 2021 Graduates should meet in front of the Earl C Hargrove Chapel with cap and gown by 12:45 p.m. for instructions and group pictures.
- Please leave all personal belongings with family members or friends.
- Students will line up for the processional in the Laughlin Center (behind the Chapel).
- Students must participate from the start to the end of the program. At the end of the ceremony, students will be escorted to a designated area for diploma distribution. August 2020 and December 2020 graduates should remain in the line to return red diploma covers to representatives of the Registrar’s Office. May graduates will receive their diplomas if all final grades are posted by noon on the Thursday preceding Commencement. If students have outstanding transfer work in their last semester, diplomas will be held and mailed after final transcripts are received.
- In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors. Each student will be given two tickets for guests.
Ordering Cap and Gown
LCU has partnered with Herff Jones, Inc. to provide commencement regalia.
To order your cap, gown and tassel, go to Herff Jones’ website. Graduates must purchase and wear the unique cap and gown selected for LCU in order to participate in the ceremonies. Hoods for graduate students will be ordered by the University. Students will be billed separately for the hood, which will be presented during the ceremony.
You will also find announcements, diploma frames and class rings at Herff Jones’ website.
If you have questions about the ordering process, please contact Herff Jones directly at 1-800-837-4235.
Student Honors and Honor Cords
Undergraduate students who have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 will graduate with honors. All coursework toward a degree is included in the computation of the GPA. The following designations are given:
- 3.50 to 3.69 cum laude
- 3.70 to 3.89 magna cum laude
- 3.90 to 4.00 summa cum laude
Honor distinctions will be permanently noted on the student’s diploma and transcript. Students will wear gold cords during the ceremony.
Seminary and graduate students who have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75 are recognized at Commencement as having graduated “with honors” and those with at least a 3.90, “with highest honors.” Honor distinctions are not noted on diplomas or transcripts for graduate students, nor do graduate students wear honor cords.
Gold honors cords for undergraduate students will be distributed in the Chapel foyer the morning of Commencement. If you have earned this designation, you will be notified by email from the Office of the Registrar and provided with instructions for honor cord pick-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do graduates buy their caps, gowns, and tassels?
Please go to Herff Jones’ website to place your order. In order to participate in the commencement ceremonies, you must wear the proper regalia. Using a cap and gown from a previous ceremony is not acceptable.
Is there a particular color of tassel for each major?
No. Undergraduates will wear red tassels, graduate students will wear black tassels, and doctoral students will wear gold tassels.
Where can I purchase announcements, class rings, diploma frames?
Please go to the Herff Jones website to place your order.
How long will the ceremony last?
Depending on the number of graduates, each ceremony will last approximately one and a half to two hours.
Is there a limit on the number of guests I can bring?
Graduates are encouraged to invite their families and close friends. This year’s ceremonies will be held outdoors, weather permitting. If the ceremony has to be moved inside, graduates will be permitted only two guests. Information about tickets will be sent to each graduate.
When will I receive my diploma?
Spring graduates attending commencement in May will receive their diplomas immediately following the ceremony. Graduates will be escorted to a location where representatives of the Registrar’s Office will be distributing diplomas. If students took coursework at other institutions in the spring semester, diplomas will be held until final transcripts have been submitted. For students not participating in Commencement, diplomas will be mailed via UPS the week following Commencement.
Do I need to pay a graduation fee?
All senior students are charged a $50 graduation fee regardless of whether they participate in commencement or not. This charge is added to student accounts the beginning of March and should be paid by April 15.
When will I receive instructions about what to do the day of the ceremony?
Some information is included on the commencement information page. Students will also receive emails at their LCU student email accounts from the Registrar’s Office and additional instructions from the Deans’ offices.
What if I have a question not listed above?
Please email or call the Registrar’s Office at 217-732-3168, ext. 2399.