Olivet College will celebrate its 2010 graduation exercises Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15.

Baccalaureate is Friday, May 14 at 4:30 p.m. in the Olivet Congregational Church. Baccalaureate is immediately followed by a barbecue for graduating seniors, faculty and staff in the Kirk Center. Parents and guests may also attend this event by paying at the door – $14.29 for adults; $7.15 for 5- to 12-year-olds; children 4 and under are free. If you plan to attend the baccalaureate barbecue, please R.S.V.P. to mmcmullen@olivetcollege.edu by Friday, May 1, 2010.

Commencement is Saturday, May 15 at 1 p.m. in the Cutler Event Center. The Cutler Event Center is a handicap accessible facility, and a sign language interpreter and special seating will be available for those who are hearing impaired. To request more information on the facilities or report special needs, please click here.

Parking is available directly across the street from the Cutler Athletic Complex and adjacent to the college’s softball facility.

For more information about Commencement, please call the Registrar at (269) 749-7638 or Mary Anne McMullen, director of special events, at (269) 749-7131.

Handicap accessibility
2010 graduation requirements
Teacher Certification candidates
Applying for graduation
Ordering your announcements, cap and gown
Rehearsal
Graduation

Handicap accessibility

• Limited handicap accessible parking is available in the lot adjacent to the football stadium home bleachers. A state of Michigan disability parking placard or license plate is required for access to this area.
• Special seating is available for guests in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. Due to space restrictions, only one family member is allowed to escort the guest.
• An American Sign Language interpreter will be located on the Commencement platform. Hearing- and visually-impaired guests are permitted in the VIP seating area with one guest. For more information or to make arrangements, please contact Mary Anne McMullen, director of special events, at (269) 749-7131.

Graduation Requirements

Congratulations, Olivet College seniors! As you prepare for Commencement, please keep in mind the following graduation requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of academic credit
• Complete all course requirements for your major
• Non-teacher candidates are not required to complete a minor
• Complete both liberal arts core curriculum requirements and The Olivet Plan requirements
• Validated Graduation Portfolios are part of The Olivet Plan and therefore are a requirement for graduation. If May graduates don’t complete this process by noon on May 14, you will not be eligible to participate in Commencement.
• Maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and also a 2.00 in your chosen major and/or minor
• Students seeking teaching certification must maintain a minimum 2.75 grade point average required by the department of education.
• Graduation rehearsal is Friday, May 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Mott Auditorium. Rehearsal is mandatory.
• Graduation honors are figured by averaging your GPA from all institutions attended. If your average is above 3.50, you will qualify for graduation honors.
• Caps, gowns, invitations, etc. are handled through the Olivet College Bookstore. 
• There is not a limit regarding how many family members can attend the Commencement ceremony. 
• Your diploma will include your name (as appears on your graduation application), name of the college, the type of degree you are receiving (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music Education or Master of Arts in Teaching), and the graduation date. Major and minor information is not listed on your diploma, but it will appear on your final transcript.

Teacher certification candidates

• Teacher certification candidates are not required to wear a cap and gown for the Commencement ceremony.
• You will meet Tom Sampson, Education Department chair, at 12:30 p.m. in The Cutler Event Centerand walk together to the VIP seating area at 12:45 p.m.
• You do not march in with the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Teaching candidates, but will be recognized as part of the ceremony.

Applying for graduation

• Work with your advisor(s) regularly to meet graduation requirements.
• Complete any necessary paperwork needed through the Student Services Office:  i.e., major/minor declaration forms, substitution forms, etc.
• Click here to complete a Senior Audit Request Form. This form must be returned to the Student Services Office.
• Meet with the Registrar’s Office to review your senior audit.
• If you have coursework from other institution(s), Advanced Placement courses, or national insurance exams, make sure the Student Services Office has an official transcript from each institution. Please note, these transcripts must be sent through the mail to be official.
• Click here to complete an Application for Graduation. You can take this form to the Student Services Office during your audit appointment.
• Take care of any outstanding balances with the Student Services Office to ensure you receive your diploma during commencement

Ordering your announcements, cap and gown

• Personalized graduation announcements can be ordered from the Olivet College Bookstore at any time. They are $2 a-piece and sold in increments of 10. There is a $2 handling fee for announcements shipped directly to the bookstore, $6 if they are shipped to your home.
• Caps and gowns are $25 and must be ordered in person from the Olivet College Book Store by Friday, March 5 to have them in time for Honors Convocation and Friday, April 30 for Commencement. A $50 fee will be added to all orders placed after April 30.
• For more information on ordering graduation announcements or caps and gowns, please contact Sylvia Burkett, bookstore manager, at (269) 749-7394 or via e-mail at sburkett@olivetcollege.edu.

Rehearsal

• Commencement rehearsal is Friday, May 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Mott Auditorium.
• Instructions regarding marching order, seating and program details will be covered at this mandatory event.

Graduation

• The Olivet College Bookstore will be open from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Baccalaureate is Friday, May 14 at 4:30 p.m. in the Olivet Congregational Church; line-up starts at 4 p.m. in the lower level of the Mott Academic Center.
• Chartwells will be serving brunch the day of Commencement in the Kirk Center from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Please R.S.V.P. to mmcmullen@olivetcollege.edu if you plan to attend brunch.
• Commencement begins at 1 p.m. at the Cutler Event Center; line-up begins at noon in the athletic facility.
• Parking is available in numerous lots adjacent to the Cutler Athletic Complex. Parking will be marked the day of Commencement.
• Teacher certification candidates do not march in with the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Teaching candidates, and are not required to wear a cap and gown.