GoArmyEd Graduation Procedures for Franklin University

Congratulations on your approaching graduation! Please complete the following steps to submit your graduation application correctly. If you have already applied for graduation and are looking for information about attending Franklin's commencement, see our GoArmyEd information for commencement attendees.

Graduation will be held the following dates:

Sunday, August 16, 2009 (Summer 2009)
Sunday, January 3, 2010 (Fall 2009)
Sunday, May 9, 2010 (Winter 2010)
Sunday, August 15, 2010 (Summer 2010)

Graduation Procedures

Complete the online Graduation Application. Graduation applications are due by the following date(s):

29 SEPT (Fall 2009)
After submitting the online Graduation Application, your Student Services Associate (SSA) will email you confirming the status of completion toward your degree requirements. If you fail to graduate in the trimester for which you apply, you must submit a new application for any subsequent trimester.
If you have earned credit from other colleges or universities but have not yet submitted official transcripts, these must be received no later than the following in order to qualify for graduation:

21 DEC (Fall 2009)

Please have your transcripts sent directly to the Registrar, 201 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215-5399.
If you plan to attend the Franklin University commencement, please indicate this on the online Graduation Application and go to the GoArmyEd information for commencement attendees. If you have an unusual name or one that is difficult to pronounce, be sure to complete the Pronunciation Information on the online Graduation Application.
If you do not plan to attend Franklin's commencement, the Registrar's Office will send your diploma and transcript by mail to the address indicated on your Graduation Application within one week of commencement.

Please contact the Registrar with questions concerning your graduation application.

GoArmyEd Information for Commencement Attendees

Franklin University's commencement is held at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 300 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio. Because we do not have a rehearsal for the ceremony, all of the details associated with graduation are below.

However, if you have any questions, please contact the Registrar at 614.341.6249 or toll free at 1.877.341.6300 ext. 6249.

Congratulations to you as you prepare to reach this milestone in your academic and professional career!

Graduation Announcements and Rings
Caps and Gowns
Tickets
Directions to Veterans Memorial
Parking
Guests
Pre-ceremony Activities
Latin Honors
Processional
Degree Presentation
Recessional
Reception
Photographs
Hotels and Restaurants

Graduation Announcements and Ring

Personalized announcements include 25 announcements per package and are printed with your name, degree and Major. These announcements are available by special order through Jostens' Web site or by calling 1.800.854.7464. Normal delivery time is 2 - 3 weeks.

Personalized Franklin University rings also may be purchased through Jostens' Web site or by calling 1.800.854.7464.

Caps and Gowns

Caps and gowns are provided only for students who have specified this on the graduation application. Please complete the appropriate information on the graduation application if you would like your cap and gown mailed to you prior to attending commencement. Otherwise, your cap and gown will be available for pick up at commencement. If you are not attending graduation, but would like to receive your cap and gown, you may specify this on the graduation application.

Tickets

Tickets are not required for you or your guests to attend Franklin's commencement.

Directions to Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Get directions to Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio.

Parking

Veterans Memorial provides ample parking at a charge of $4 per vehicle.

Guests

You may invite an unlimited number of guests to commencement. Please inform your guests that all cellular phones and pagers must be turned off during the ceremony.

For the hearing-impaired, interpreting services will be provided. Ushers will direct hearing-impaired guests to reserved seating near the stage.

Guests needing mobility-impaired access to the auditorium may use the elevator or escalator located in the North Exhibition Hall. To ensure adequate seating, please contact the Associate Registrar if you will have hearing-impaired or mobility-impaired guests attending commencement.

Pre-ceremony Activities

Graduates attending commencement should plan to arrive at Veterans Memorial Auditorium no later than 12:45 p.m. on the date of graduation.

Signs will be posted to direct your entry into the building. The 12:45 p.m. deadline will allow time for you to register and retrieve your information card, which will include your procession number.

At 1:15 p.m., you will be asked to take your place in line for the processional. Please note that tassels are to remain on the left side of your cap throughout the ceremony.

Commencement will begin promptly at 2 p.m.

Latin Honors

Latin honors for Undergraduate academic achievement will be determined after the final grades are processed for the term. Qualified graduates will receive honor cords at commencement at a designated table.

All undergraduate students must meet the residency requirement and are awarded Latin Honors based on the following grade point average (GPA):

Summa Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher;
Magna Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.70 - 3.89; and
Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.50 - 3.69.

Processional

At 1:55 p.m., graduates will process to the auditorium in two single-file lines according to assigned procession numbers. Please stay in line and follow the person in front of you. Failure to do so will result in your receiving someone else's diploma.

Franklin University does not guarantee the security of any personal items left behind during commencement. Please either take personal items with you to the auditorium or leave them with a family member or guest. All cellular phones and pagers must be turned off during the ceremony.

At 2 p.m., the procession will enter the auditorium. Floor marshals will direct you to the proper row. Graduates will remain standing until those on stage are seated. During the ceremony, please take your cue from the speaker on stage as to when you should stand or be seated.

Degree Presentation

The Chairman of the Franklin University Board of Trustees will announce the awarding of degrees. With caps on, graduates will rise together and remain standing.

The University's President will verbally bestow the appropriate degrees and then ask graduates to be seated. The Floor Marshals will guide individual rows of graduates to the stage, one row at a time. You will stand along the east wall so as not to block the view of guests.

When you reach the stage, give your information card to the attendant. When your name is called, walk across the stage, shake hands with the University President, and receive your diploma from the Academic Vice President. You should then return to the appropriate row and be seated.

To avoid disruption, and in support of your fellow graduates, please remain seated until all graduates (graduate and undergraduate) have received their diplomas. You will then rise for the Benediction and remain standing for the recessional.

Recessional

When the recessional music begins, graduates will exit the auditorium, following those on stage. Floor Marshals will assist graduates in exiting one row at a time. You will exit in the same order you entered (i.e.,first in, first out). Please exit via the same aisle from which you entered the auditorium.