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Graduate Commencement

In recognition of the accomplishments of our graduate students, Capital will hold a separate hooding and commencement ceremony for graduates of our Master’s Business, Education, Music, and Nursing programs. This special ceremony will take place on: 

Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Reception to follow

Conservatory of Music
Mees Hall
2260 E. Mound Street
Columbus, OH 43209  

Graduation Requirements

Students have until Friday, January 26, 2024 to complete the graduation application in myCAP. After January 26, 2024 if you have not applied for graduation, you will need to contact the Registrar’s Office for assistance: graduation@capital.edu or 614-236-6150.

Students who have applied to graduate and plan to participate in the Graduate Commencement ceremony must have completed all degree requirements. This includes:

  • Required coursework
  • Incompletes
  • Official transcripts
  • Any other materials related to the completion of the degree

All students who have completed the above requirements will receive their diploma covers at the Commencement ceremony. All diplomas for the class of 2024 will be mailed to the graduates. Students who have graduated in December of 2023 or applied to graduate in August of 2024 are also eligible to participate.

Graduate students who will not be attending the ceremony will be mailed their diplomas from the Registrar's Office.

Financial Obligations: All bills and fees must be paid prior to graduation. If your account is not completely cleared by graduation, neither your diploma nor transcripts will be issued. Contact the Student Accounts Office at 614-236-6213 or studentaccounts@capital.edu if you have questions.

Admission

You MUST register your intent to walk in the Graduate Ceremony with the Registrar’s Office in order to receive tickets to the ceremony.

After you have registered to attend through the Registrar’s Office, please use the button below to order tickets. Each graduate will receive up to 12 e-tickets for their guests. Tickets will be available through May 3.

Register Now

Commencement Day

  • 5:00pm - Check-in for graduates will take place in the lobby of Huntington Recital Hall (south side of the Conservatory).
    Professional Portraits will be offered at this time in the Crist Room, 140 behind check-in
  • Doors open to Mees Hall Auditorium for guest seating.
  • 6:00pm - 6:15pm - graduates are asked to line-up in the Crist Room140, no later than 6:15pm for the start of the procession
  • 6:30pm - Ceremony begins with procession from the Crist Room into Mees Hall
  • 7:45pm (approximately) - ceremony concludes, light reception will be provided outside on the front lawn of Mees Hall (Convergent Media Center will be the inclement weather location).

Special Notes

General Seating will be available for your guests. Both the lower level and balcony will be available for seating. Tickets must be requested no later than May 6, 2024. 1 ticket per guest is required (including infants and toddlers). Graduates do not need a ticket.

COVID-19 Policies: Capital University is looking forward to celebrating our graduating students and to making sure that we do it safely and responsibly. We invite everyone to evaluate their own personal risks when considering attending the ceremony. Currently, masks are not required regardless of vaccination status but the public health agencies still recommend that individuals who may be at higher risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19 (e.g., immunocompromised or unvaccinated) continue to mask when in public.  Capital remains a mask-friendly university and supports anyone who chooses to continue to wear a mask. Please note these requirements are subject to change based on State, County, City, and campus policies.

Parking & Directions

All parking lots will be available for public parking. Please adhere to mobility-impaired parking restrictions: do not park in unmarked spaces and do not block intersections or pathways.

Campus Parking and Directions

Special Needs/Mobility Impaired

All access into Mees Hall will be wheelchair and mobility-impaired accessible. Please contact the Meeting and Event Services Department if you have specific questions. Mobility impaired parking spots are available in the F-5, S-7, and S-8 lots.

An ASL interpreter will be available for the duration of the ceremony.

Contact Us

Meredith Gaul, Assistant Registrar of Operations  
614-236-6150 or graduation@capital.edu for questions regarding graduation registration and graduation requirements.

Era McMahon, Director of Meeting and Event Services
614-236-6200 or events@capital.edu for questions regarding Eventbrite ticketing, additional tickets, logistics, and day-of needs.

Student Accounts Office
614-236-6213 or studentaccounts@capital.edu for financial obligations.

University Gear Shop Bookstore  
614- 236 -6629 or capital@getugear.com for regalia and bookstore needs

Regalia

Graduation regalia is available to order through Herff Jones and will not be listed on the Capital Bookstore University Gear website. 

Ordering is available through March 25th (by midnight) for pickup in the bookstore starting May 1st. Ordering for delivery to your home address will be available starting March 26th through April 8th.

https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/capital/

For any regalia-related questions, please contact Cliff Fehr from Herff Jones at cfehrway@hotmail.com.

For last minute needs, please visit the University Gear Shop to purchase caps and gowns in-store or call (614) 236-6629.

University Gear Shop will host a Grad Fair in-store on March 14th, 15th, and 25th from 11am-5pm.

University Gear Shop Hours of Operation
Monday, May 6 - Saturday, May 11
9 am - 5 pm
1st Floor, Harry C. Moores Student Union

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get tickets to the Graduate Commencement?

A link will be emailed to all graduates in the spring that will allow you to select the number of tickets for your guests. PLEASE NOTE – all Graduates MUST register with the Registrar’s Office BEFORE you can request tickets.

How many Tickets will I get?

The number of tickets offered to each graduate will depend on the number of graduates we anticipate graduating. This year, each graduate will receive up to 12 e-tickets for their guests.

Do I have to wear this specific robe and purchase it from this website?

This year we are offering a higher grade, eco-friendly regalia that is recycled from bottles, more forgiving in its fit. We strongly suggest that these are ordered so that everyone will be uniform. Our contractor, Herff Jones offers regalia that is processed and manufactured in the USA. 

What should I wear to graduation?

We strongly suggest business or business casual with special emphasis on comfortable shoes. Graduates will be walking, standing, walking up and down steps, and walking outside (weather permitting).

What should I bring with me to graduation?

Less is more. Heavy bags and purses will be burdensome so we suggest wristlets or small crossover bags for your essentials. Once you leave line-up in the Crist Room and walk to Mees Auditorium, any personal items will be left behind in the Crist Room, unattended.

Where should my family and friends park?

Please refer to “Parking” information on our website. All parking lots are available for you and your guests during this day.

Some of my guests will be in a wheelchair or mobility impaired devices. Where should they enter and where can they sit?

All main entrances into the Conservatory of Music are wheelchair accessible. Please see an usher to assist with where the best place would be for your guest.

ASL interpreters will be present during the entire ceremony.
Volunteers will be driving golf-carts around campus prior to and after the event to assist anyone needing a ride to the Conservatory of Music.