College of Health & Behavioral Sciences Commissioning Ceremony

Congratulations! You have made it to graduation! We are excited that you have decided to join us for our Commissioning Service and look forward to meeting your families and friends.

Commissioning is a sacred service dedicated to worship, prayer, and anointing. Commissioning means “to grant authority,” “to entrust,” or “to appoint or assign a task or function.” This special ceremony authorizes our graduates to take their training into the world and make a difference for Christ. It signifies that students leave from their training and preparation at Regent to go out into the world to advance God’s Kingdom on this Earth.

During this ceremony, graduates are being commissioned by their faculty and CHBS leadership to step into the call that God has placed on their lives. This is a solemn ceremony held at the Library Plaza at Regent University. This event will prayerfully commission you to serve the world as a Christian leader in your chosen field.

Schedule

The schedule for CHBS Commissioning 2024 includes: 

• Processional 
• Invocation 
• Opening Hymn 
• Dean’s Welcome 
• Congratulations Remarks from the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs 
• Presentation of Outstanding Faculty and Graduates Awards 
• Faculty Reflection 
• Student Testimony 
• Recognition of Graduates, Hooding (Doctoral), and Crossing of the Stage 
• Professional Headshots by Grad Images 
• Prayer of Commissioning with Graduates (by Program Directors) 
• Alumni Induction 
• Benediction 
• Recessional
• Reception at the Communications Building Plaza from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The service will be streamed live on this page at 9:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 2, 2024. 

Commencement (i.e., graduation) will be held on Saturday, May 4, beginning at 9:15 a.m. ET at the Library Plaza. This ceremony includes all graduates & faculty. Please view www.regent.edu/commencement for more information about the event. 

RSVP BY MARCH 31, 2024

Students are required to RSVP for both the Commencement Ceremony and the Commissioning Ceremony. Once approved to do so by the Registrar, within the RSVP window from February 12 –  March 31, 2024, the following link will appear in the MyRegent portal (not GENISYS). Students must log into their MyRegent portal, select the Student tab at the top of the portal, and scroll down slightly to locate the below RSVP for Commencement & Commissioning:

Students are encouraged to RSVP as soon as possible once the RSVP window is open, which will allow CHBS leadership to estimate a more precise headcount for attendance and planning purposes.

Music provided by Ms. Sylvia Chapa
Collaborative Pianist, College of Arts & Sciences

Greetings	Avery Walsh Executive Director of Admissions
Processional*
Invocation	Dr. Fernando Garzon Associate Dean, College of Health & Behavioral Sciences
Opening Musical Selection	Regent University Choir Dr. Joan Pi, Director of Choral Activities

My Tribute by Andrae Crouch/ arr. Ed Lojeski

Welcome and Opening Remarks	Dr. Anna Ord Dean, College of Health & Behavioral Sciences
Introduction of Executive Vice President	Dr. Anna Ord
Congratulations Remarks	Dr. William Hathaway Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Presentation of Outstanding Faculty Award	Dr. Anna Ord
Presentation of Outstanding Graduate Awards	Program Directors Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology – Dr. Rachel Stephens Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Dr. Jessica Guilfoyle Master of Science in Nursing in APRN – Dr. Jamie Holland Master of Science in Psychology – Dr. Rachel Stephens Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Dr. Helen Runyan R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Dr. Jamie Holland Bachelor of Science in Gerontology – Dr. Jamie Holland
Faculty Reflection	Dr. Cassandra Page Assistant Dean, College of Health & Behavioral Sciences
Student Testimony	Dr. Esther Gillie Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies Graduate
Posthumous Degree Acknowledgement and Moment of Silence	Dr. Jessica Guilfoyle
Recognition of Graduates	Dean and Faculty Readers of Graduate Names Drs. Kimberley Coddington, Victor Counted, Crista Glover, Daniel Holland, Shannon Kuschel, Ashley Jamison, Alicea Jenkins, Jessica McCleese, Katelyn Tollefson, and Danielle Winters Doctoral Hooding by Dissertation Chairs Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology Program Drs. Linda Baum, Fernando Garzon, Cassandra Page, Jennifer Ripley, Rachel Stephens Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision Program Drs. Jasmine Knight, Helen Runyan, James Sells, Cyrus Williams, Olya Zaporozhets Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies Program Drs. Michelle Boone-Thornton, LaShonda Fuller, Fernando Garzon, Jessica Guilfoyle, Katrina Maxwell, Sha’leda Mirra, Michelle Simmons Doctoral Degrees Commissioned by Department School of Psychology & Counseling Doctor of Psychology Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies Master’s Degrees Commissioned by Department School of Psychology & Counseling Psychology Master of Science in Psychology Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Counseling Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Master of Arts in School Counseling Counseling Ministries Master of Arts in Human Services Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling School of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Master of Science in Nursing School of Allied Health Master of Science in Health Information Systems Administration Bachelor’s Degrees Commissioned by Department School of Allied Health Bachelor of Science in Gerontology Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management School of Nursing R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Commissioning Prayer for Graduates by Academic Department	Program Directors Dr. Rachel Stephens – Psychology Dr. Jasmine Knight – Counseling Dr. Fernando Garzon – Counseling Ministries Dr. Jamie Holland – Nursing and Allied Health
Alumni Induction	Alora Tejada
Benediction	Dr. Cassandra Page
Recessional*

*Please stand.
No photography is permitted in the aisles. Thank you for your consideration.

Graduates and guests should enter Regent University through the Centerville Turnpike entrance and park in Lot L (see campus map). Seating will open for guests at 8:45 a.m. 

Children are welcome, but please consider that this is a religious/sacred service that will last about two hours. Strollers and similar equipment are not permitted in the aisles and walkways.

Graduates are to arrive at the Library Plaza by 8:00 a.m. Remember to allow enough time to find a parking space. You will be directed by an usher to the designated location for line up by degree program. 

Come dressed in full regalia (robe, hood, mortarboard/cap), except for the 2024 doctoral graduates. Doctoral graduates for 2024, have your hood with you but you will carry it on your arm during the processional. You will be hooded during the ceremony. 

During the name announcing portion of the ceremony, you will cross the stage and shake the dean or associate dean’s hand. Doctoral candidates will also be hooded during that time. Once you have exited the stage, please follow the direction of the usher to have your individual photo taken. Afterwards, please return to the next available seat as directed by the usher.  Following this segment of the program is prayer of commissioning by academic department, alumni induction and benediction.  The service will conclude with recessional. 

No picture taking will be permitted in the aisles. This is a special occasion, and each graduate deserves the respect and attention of all who are present. It is greatly appreciated that you make your guests aware of this policy. Purchasing details regarding photos taken will be sent to you by Grad Images.  Please check your email accordingly. 

Students who ordered their regalia to be shipped to Regent University must pick up their regalia on campus at the Dede Robertson Student Center. Graduates must present their picture ID to pick up their regalia (caps, gowns, and tassels) in the Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177. View the Regent campus map.

The Registrar’s staff will only release regalia to someone other than the graduate if they have received prior written consent from the graduate at  registrar@regent.edu. Graduates must send this written consent from their Regent email account. Graduates not attending the Commissioning Service may pick up their regalia the morning of Commencement, beginning at 8:00 a.m.; however, they are strongly encouraged to pick up their regalia in advance. Graduates may not alter or decorate their regalia, including caps. 

Graduates must wear all regalia for the service, including caps and gowns. (Doctoral graduates will be hooded during the ceremony).  Gentlemen should wear button-down dress shirts and ties with dark trousers and dress shoes. Ladies should wear a dress, skirt or dress pants and comfortable dress shoes. Please note that this service will involve extensive standing and walking downstairs. Absolutely no sneakers, jeans, or t-shirts are permitted. Please be advised that men will need to remove their caps during prayer.

Graduates will not be permitted to carry anything—including purses, bags, umbrellas, or cameras—into the ceremony. Graduates should leave all their belongings in their vehicles or with their guests. There is no place to store belongings before or during the service. Regent University is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings. 

Contact Lynnette Harris for questions about the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences Commissioning Ceremony.

Please send all questions regarding commencement to commencement@regent.edu. Commencement representatives are now available to answer your questions.

View the Regent campus map

Here is a List of area hotels: https://www.regent.edu/student-life/student-housing/area-hotels/