School of Communication & the Arts 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 family and friends.

To commission someone is “to entrust, or to give authority” or “to appoint or assign to a task or function.” Within the context of our graduation, Commissioning is a sacred and holy time of worship, consecration, reflection, prayer, and anointing.

This event will prayerfully commission you to serve the world as a Christian leader in your chosen field. The schedule includes:

• Dean’s welcome
• Message from the Chancellor
• Commissioning Address
• Student Tributes
• Presentation of Outstanding Student Awards
• Formal reading of graduate names and walking across the stage
• Formal hooding of graduates
• Faculty prayer and anointing of graduates
• Professional headshots by Grad Images
• Reception at the Communications Building Plaza from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The service will be streamed live beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET on Friday, May 9.

Commencement (also known as graduation) will be held Saturday, May 10, beginning at 9:15 a.m. EST on the Library Plaza. This ceremony includes all graduates and faculty. Please view www.regent.edu/commencement for more information regarding Commencement.

Please RSVP for both the Commencement and Commissioning ceremonies whether you plan to attend or not. To RSVP for these events, please visit your MyRegent portal, select the Student tab at the top and scroll down to the My Account portion where you will be able to communicate your participation by completing the survey in the “RSVP for Commencement & Commissioning” option. Please RSVP by Sunday, April 13, 2025.

View the Regent campus map and area hotels.

*Processional – “God of Our Father”	Faculty and Graduates Student Marshals: Nicola Tressler & Lauren McMullen
*Welcome	Dr. Simon Tarr Dean, School of Communication & the Arts
*Invocation	Prof. Alex Buffalo Associate Professor, Film & Media
Introduction of Speaker	Dr. Simon Tarr
Commissioning Address	Nathan Todd Sims President/CEO, Fusion Productions School of Communication & the Arts Alumnus
Outstanding Graduate Awards	Dr. Simon Tarr
Message from our Chancellor (VIDEO)	Gordon Robertson Chancellor, Regent University
Hooding of the Graduates	Dr. Simon Tarr
*Closing Hymn- “Great is Thy Faithfulness”	All Sing Dr. Michael Hill-Kirkland, accompanied by Ms. Sylvia Chapa
*Benediction & Final Comments	Dr. Simon Tarr
*Recessional – “Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise”	Ms. Sylvia Chapa

*Please stand.

REHEARSAL

There will be a rehearsal on Tuesday, May 6 in the Shaw Chapel at 10:00 a.m. It is highly recommended that you attend if you are local. Come as you are. We will be finished in about 30 minutes.

CEREMONY

Friday, May 9 at 11:00 a.m. ET in the Shaw Chapel. Graduates will be sent an email with instructions and ceremony procedures. Graduates are requested to go the Check-In Table no later than 10:00 a.m. behind the Divinity Building. You are welcome to invite as many family and friends as you wish; no tickets required. Doors will open for guests at 10:30 a.m. for first-come seating.

Regalia

Regalia is required for all graduation ceremonies. Regalia orders may be placed online through our trusted partner Oak Hall. Order dates deadline to ship to Regent University is April 13 and to ship to your home is March 30.

For students who ordered their regalia to be shipped to Regent University, regalia must be picked up on campus at the Welcome Center before 5:00 p.m. Graduates must present their picture ID to pick up their regalia (caps, gowns, and tassels) in the Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177. Click here to view the Regent campus map.

Pick up Regalia

Tuesday, May 6; 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

Wednesday, May 7; 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

Thursday, May 8; 7:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

Friday, May 9; 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177

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.

DRESS CODE

As this is a special occasion and you will be standing on stage, men should wear dress pants. Women should wear dress pants, a skirt or a dress. All graduates should wear dress shoes (heels or flats). Please do not wear jeans, tennis shoes or flip-flops. Females are not to bring handbags except for small bags worn under regalia. Do not bring a large purse or drink as you cannot take items on stage, and you will not return to your original seat.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Graduates will not be permitted to carry anything except for the program. Small purses and cameras can be placed under regalia. Graduates should leave all belongings in their vehicles or with their guests. There is no place to store belongings prior to or during the service. Regent University is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings. Children will not be allowed to process with the graduate.

Please keep in mind, there is no cost, tickets, or guest limit to attend the School of Communication & the Arts Commissioning Ceremony.

For any accommodation or accessibility questions or concerns, please email disabilities@regent.edu or call at 757.352.4489.

Contact Margie Ackerman at mackerman@regent.edu for questions about the School of Communication & the Arts Commissioning Ceremony.