Commencement Important Dates and Deadlines Date/Deadline Activity/Task August 23 Deadline for Applications for Fall Graduates November 7 Prospective Graduates Meeting November 15 Deadline for Applications for Spring Graduates February-April Assessment Days NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement) February 21 ACAT (Area Concentration Achievement Tests) and MFT (Major Fields Tests) April 8-12 CSS (College Senior Survey) Prospective Graduates April 10 March 1-30 Order Academic Regalia & Invitations/Announcements https://collegegrad.herffjones.com/ Opens a New Window. March 2 Herff Jones Visit (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)James E. Cheek Learning Resources Center (Library Lobby)Herff Jones visit to view selections and answer questions about ordering caps and gowns, announcements, diploma frames and more. March 12 Prospective Graduates Meeting April 1 Start Graduation Clearance Process Canceled University Awards Day (11:00 a.m.) April 27 Final Exam Begin for Prospective Graduates May 1 - May 9 Final Clearance Process TBD Academic Regalia available for pick-up at the Bookstore TBD Senior Sunday Service (12:30 p.m.) Thomas J. Boyd Chapel(Mandatory for all prospective graduates. Time of reflection in honor of our graduating seniors’ journey through Shaw University.) TBD Commencement Rehearsal (2:00 p.m.) (Mandatory for all prospective graduates who plan to participate in Commencement. Prospective Graduates should report to the C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium in order to pick up name cards, honor cords and to line up for the procession. Students should bring their hood and cap only.) TBD Baccalaureate Service (9:30 a.m.)Thomas J. Boyd Chapel (Mandatory for all prospective graduates) TBD Commencement Exercise (10:00 a.m.) (Graduates are required to arrive and report to the Spaulding Gymnasium for line up at 7:30 a.m. dressed in full academic regalia)