Commencement at Terra State is the culmination of the hard work and tireless effort
put in by our students to achieve their goal of a certificate or diploma. Below are
the steps needed to be completed to participate in Commencement and other pertinent
information for graduation.
May 6, 2022
Terra State has one official commencement per year. Pandemic policy at that time will
determine the type of commencement ceremony. Currently, we are planning two ceremonies
at 6 p.m. and 7:30 pm. The programs are identified below, as well as in the Graduate
List by clicking the button below.
All candidates participating in commencement are expected to check in at Building
E, in cap and gown, no later than 30 minutes before their ceremony Friday night. The commencement ceremonies will begin promptly.
Liberal Arts & Business Division, and Allied Health programs – 6 p.m.
Accounting · Communications · Digital Media Technology · Health Care Administration
· Health Information Technology · Management · Marketing · Medical Assisting · Music
· Nursing · Office Administration · Phlebotomy · Physical Therapist Assistant
Technology & Skilled Trades Division, and Public Service programs – 7:30 p.m.
Associate of Arts · Associate of Individualized Study · Associate of Science · Associate
of Technical Study · Computer Systems · Construction Technology · Electricity · Heating,
Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration · Law Enforcement · Manufacturing
Engineering · Power Technologies · Robotics-Integrated Manufacturing Technology ·
Welding
All students must Apply to Graduate through Self-Service Banner [SSB] at least one
semester prior to graduating. An application can be completed for up to two degrees
and/or certificates. Students applying for more than two degrees/certificates must
go through the Records Office.
It is your responsibility to make sure that all grade change forms, course substitutions,
transfer credits, and incompletes are recorded in the Records Office prior to graduation.
Petitions are only valid for the semester applied. If the requirements are not met
during that term, the student must reapply for the new expected graduation term.
Complete a Degree Audit Using Degree Works
After completing the application, you should run a degree audit through SSB. The Records
Office will perform an official degree audit, but this may take many weeks depending
on when it is received. Degree audits will be completed for each student in the order
received. You will be notified by email when the official degree audit is completed.
The audit will indicate any courses still needed to complete your program requirements.
Questions regarding degree audits and or missing requirements may be directed to an
academic advisor.
Commencement Attendance Policy
Commencement provides recognition to those students who are expected to meet the College's
requirements for graduation.
Students shall meet the following criteria in order to participate in commencement and
be included in the commencement program:
Complete and submit a graduation application.
A student's graduation application must have an approved audit with pending completion
status.
The published commencement program will include the following terms:
Fall and Spring graduates of the current academic year.
Summer graduates from the prior Summer term that were not included in the prior academic
year's program.
Summer graduates from the following Summer term that have met number 2 by the completion
of Spring Break during the current academic year.
Other Important Information Regarding Commencement & Graduation
Please make certain that you have your tuition paid in full and all library materials
returned by the end of the term you are earning your degree/certificate. Failure to
complete either of these will result in a financial hold. Students on a financial
hold will not receive a diploma, transcript, etc. until all balances are paid in full.
Federal law requires Financial Aid Loan Exit Counseling. You must complete this online
at www.nslds.ed.gov. Please contact the Financial Aid office at 419.559.2344 if you have questions.
Ceremony Instructions
This information is available in lieu of Commencement rehearsal.
Commencement will occur on May 6, 2022. Pandemic policy at that time will determine
the type of commencement ceremony.
General Instructions Commencement is in the evening. Currently, we are planning two ceremonies at 6 p.m.
and 7:30 p.m.
Candidates will follow the direction of the graduation marshals who will guide you
to the Student Activities Center. Candidates will have a calling card which lists
their name, major, and honors. Graduation marshals will direct you when to approach
the stage. You will hand your calling card to the speaker. The name of each candidate
will be announced and each candidate will proceed to the middle of the stage for a
picture with the President and/or Vice-President of Academic Affairs. Along the way,
they will be handed a diploma/certificate cover. Candidates should pause for a moment
for the photographer to capture your picture and then follow the guides to your seat
and be seated.
After all students have processed across the stage and have been seated, the ceremony
will be continued. Finally, candidates will be asked to stand for the conferring of
degrees. Candidates will change their tassels from right to left.
Guest Limitations
Guest limitations are subject to change based on CDC guidelines; however, at this
time there are no limits on the number of guests that may attend to support their
graduate candidate. Tickets are not needed for guests.
Honors
Graduation honors for Commencement are based on Fall Semester grade point average
(GPA). In order to check your current GPA status, please log onto your Student Portal.
Grade point averages are not rounded up for honors. Your diploma will have honors
recorded based on your final semester GPA.
Honor Classification
Cumulative Grade Point Average
summa cum laude
3.90-4.00
magna cum laude
3.75-3.89
cum laude
3.50-3.74
Cap, Gown, Honor Cords, Etc.
All certificate earners are required to wear a blue gown. You need to purchase your
gown in the College Store. The cost is $30 plus tax.
All degree graduates are required to wear a blue cap and gown with the appropriate
tassel. You need to purchase your cap, gown & tassel in the College Store. The cost
is $40 plus tax. If you have earned honors, the honor cord(s) will be given to you
when you purchase your cap & gown.
Please note honors recognized for the ceremony are based on your cumulative GPA at
the end of the prior Fall term.
College Store hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and regular
Friday's 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Graduation announcements and gift items are also available
for purchase in the College Store. The College Store will be open from 1:00 - 9:00
p.m. on the Friday of Commencement for your convenience. Commemorative Commencement
T-Shirts, bouquets, and teddy bears are available for purchase at this link: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/terra/
Photographs and Video Recording
The College has arranged for a photographer to take your photo as you accept your
diploma cover at the Commencement Ceremony. There is no charge to you and you will
receive a complimentary 5" x 7" color print when you receive your diploma. The ceremony
will be available through a live streaming broadcast; check Terra State's social media
pages on Commencement Day for the link.
We are offering these services in order that your family and friends may enjoy the
ceremony. Please advise that only the graduates will be permitted to approach the
stage and surrounding area. Please inform your guests that if they need to leave during
the ceremony they may do so by the doors on either side of the stage. After the ceremony
is completed, the graduates will exit first.
Special Accommodations
Candidates and guests requiring special handicapped accommodations due to a disability
please contact the Record's Office at 419.559.2405 or recordsdept@terra.edu.
Commencement Tips
The commencement ceremony will last about one hour. There will not be a rehearsal
for the ceremony. Please follow the directions of the graduation marshals who will
be there to guide you at the ceremony.
Candidates should arrive thirty minutes before the ceremony time with their caps and
gowns. Please do not bring coats, umbrellas, purses, or other items of extra apparel
with you, as you are not permitted to carry or wear these during the procession.
You will check in at the table in the atrium in Building E. You will pick up your
calling card and follow the directions of the graduation marshals. After the ceremony,
follow the marshals to a designated receiving area where faculty will congratulate
you.
A reception for graduates and guests will be immediately following the ceremony in
the atrium of Building B.
Disbursement of Diplomas
Terra State Community College awards and distributes diplomas/certificates three times
per academic year. We have one commencement ceremony in May. It normally takes up
to 6 weeks following Commencement for diplomas and certificates to be available.Participating in the commencement ceremony does not constitute graduation.You will receive your diploma or certificate cover at the commencement ceremony. Diplomas
and/or certificates will be ready for pickup June 1stthrough June 13th. All remaining diplomas and certificates that haveNOTbeen picked up will be mailed to the permanent address on file after June 13th. Students can update their address in Banner Self-Service up until the day diplomas
are mailed.
To receive your diploma/certificate you must have a zero balance on your account and
all library materials returned.
Degree Posting to Transcripts
Final grades posting usually take 2-3 weeks after the semester ends. Degree/Certificate
posting to your transcript may take longer than 3 weeks to process. If you are requesting
a transcript, please be sure to select “hold for graduation” when completing the request.