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 1-31 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 25-28 Prospective Graduates Picture DayJames E. Cheek Learning Resources Center (Library, 2nd Floor - Blue Room) Wednesday 11: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m Thursday: Noon - 7 p.m. Friday: Noon - 7 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. March 12 Prospective Graduates Meeting April 1 Start Graduation Clearance Process April 23 University Awards Day (11:00 a.m.) April 27 Final Exam Begin for Prospective Graduates May 1 - May 9 Final Clearance Process May 1 - May 10 Academic Regalia available for pick-up at the Bookstore May 3 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.) May 6 Commencement Rehearsal (TBD) Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts - Memorial Auditorium(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 to the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts - Memorial Auditorium. Students should bring their hood and cap only.) May 8 Baccalaureate Service (9:30 a.m.)Thomas J. Boyd Chapel (Mandatory for all prospective graduates) May 10 Commencement Exercise (10:00 a.m.) Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts – Memorial Auditorium (Graduates are required to arrive and report to the Spaulding Gymnasium for line up at 7:30 a.m. dressed in full academic regalia)