Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary’s 154th annual commencement will take place on Friday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Evanston. Our speaker this year will be Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer. Bishop Palmer is currently assigned to the Illinois Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, which encompasses the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference. His recent past service includes terms as president of the Council of Bishops and president of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Commencement Week Activities
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11
12:00-1:15 President’s Luncheon for Graduates (Allen Center)
1:15-2:15 Cap, gown, and hood pick-up, room 309
Students must order caps and gowns at least six weeks before commencement. See instructions below.
2:30-3:30 Commencement rehearsal and class pictures
Sanctuary, First United Methodist Church
516 Church Street
Evanston, IL 60201
Information about class pictures, invitations/announcements, class gift and other alum information can be found at www.garrett.edu/2011
THURSDAY, May 12
8:30-12, 1-4:30 Cap, gown, and hood pick-up in registrar's office, room 217
FRIDAY, May 13
10:00 Communion service in the Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful for the Garrett-Evangelical community, graduates and their families
11:30 - 1:00 Luncheon buffet in Great Hall at First United Methodist Church
Tickets required: Each student receives three free tickets. Students on the meal plan receive an additional ticket for a total of four. Tickets will be available for pick-up from the cashier’s office after spring break.
Additional tickets may be purchased at that time as well. The cost for additional tickets is $8.50 for adults, $4.50 for children ages 6-12, and free for children age 5 and under.
1:00 Graduates assemble for Commencement line-up with caps, gowns, and hoods in Tittle Chapel, First United Methodist Church
2:00 Commencement at First United Methodist Church
Free childcare is available for children ages 5 and under during the graduation ceremony. However, in order to plan appropriately for the number of children, you must sign-up with the office of hospitality and housing. If you have your own children, nieces or nephews, or kids of friends who are planning to attend and will need childcare, please be sure to sign-up.
There will be a reception immediately following Commencement in the church's Great Hall
4:00- 5:30 RETURN CAPS, GOWNS AND HOODS TO Tittle Chapel
NOTE: Only diploma cases will be handed out at the ceremony.
DIPLOMAS will be sent out after June 1st. Please be sure that we have the correct address on file so that we may send out your diploma correctly.
Cap and Gown ordering
1. Go to http://www1.herffjones.com/college/graduation/index.cfm
2. Click on Garrett Theological Seminaryà”Continue”
3. Select your degree program from the drop down menu
4. Select “Continue”
5. Click on the icon of the graduate on the left hand side with caption “Order Your Cap & Gown”
6. Input your cap and gown information: Area Study, Gender, Height, Weight, and Cap Size. You can even download a tape measure for your cap!
7. Click on “Continue”
8. Input your customer information and please use the school’s address: 2121 Sheridan Road; Evanston, IL 60201.
9. Click on “Continue”
10. Check the information for errorsàclick “Continue”àprint your confirmation
NOTE: The website shuts down on March 28, so get your order in early.
PhD Regalia Ordering
1. Go to www.herffjones.com/college/regalia
2. Click on “Garrett Theological Seminary – PhD Degree”
3. Click on the icon near the bottom of the page with caption “Doctoral Degrees”
4. Click on “View/Print Order Form” (requires Acrobat Reader)
5. Print form and fill in all information
6. Fax completed form to Michele Dunard, 630.653.7594
NOTE: Minimum delivery time is 6 weeks, so get your order in early.
Financial Aid Information
Students who have one of the following MUST complete an exit interview before graduation:
1. Federal Stafford subsidized loan
2. Federal Stafford unsubsidized loan
3. Federal Perkins loan
4. Federal GradPlus loan
You MUST complete this interview by going to www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/. This website will fulfill your federal requirements, as well as provide a wide array of information that you may need during the re-payment process.
Graduation Surveys
All graduating students are asked to complete an online Graduating Student Questionnaire (GSQ) and the Garrett-Evangelical Exit Survey Questions.
· The GSQ can be accessed here (https://qwizard.ats.edu/default.aspx?bid=06445697-eaa0-4c6f-a800-ed3584ed630e). Please note that your name is used only to track completion and is not tied to your individual answers. Additional information is available in the Student Manual below should you have any trouble.
· The Exit Survey for this year is available as a Word document below. You may fill in the form fields electronically and then save and e-mail the completed form. Or you can print a copy, complete by hand, and drop by the office.
· Additionally, PhD graduates are asked to complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED). A PDF version of the SED is available below. As with the exit survey, it can be completed electronically and returned to the registrar’s office, or it can be printed, completed by hand, and mailed.
Electronic versions of surveys can be returned to us at registrar@garrett.edu.