Graduates

CONGRATULATIONS … ALMOST!

All graduating students must complete the following tasks in preparation for graduation to ensure participation in celebratory events and the Commencement ceremony.  The following to-do list is intended to assure there is a clear understanding of what needs to happen as graduation approaches. Please review this information carefully and contact the appropriate office with any questions.

FEBRUARY

  • BE SURE YOU HAVE APPLIED TO GRADUATE  AND MET FOR A GRADUATION AUDIT. Those graduating in May must apply by February 1. Contact the Registrar’s office at registrar@hiram.edu.  For further information, go to http://www.hiram.edu/academic-support-services/registrar/graduation-requirements.
  • BE SURE THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE HAS YOUR CORRECT MAILING ADDRESS. The Registrar confirms each student’s current mailing address during the graduation petition meeting. If you believe that this address is incorrect, you need to contact the Registrar’s Office immediately. Commencement information letters will be mailed out in March to the mailing address you have on file in the registrar’s office.  Most importantly, this mailing address is used for sending your diploma.  
  • ORDER CAPS AND GOWNS.  Be sure to order your cap and gown through Oak Hall Cap and Gown. The deadline for cap and gown orders is Friday, March 24.
  • DIRECT LOAN BORROWERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE EXIT COUNSELING BEFORE GRADUATION.  Students that borrow federal loans while attending Hiram College are federally required to complete Exit Loan Counseling when they graduate. This exit counseling is completed online using your FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID) and password, and should be completed no later than May 1st. Failure to complete this requirement can result in your Hiram College transcripts and diploma being held. Questions regarding this requirement should be directed to Student Financial Services. 

MARCH & APRIL

  • REGISTER FOR COMMENCEMENT  TICKETS. Be sure to register for tickets by Friday, April 14 using the online registration system. Details can be found under Registration and Tickets.
  • CHECK YOUR eBILLS WEEKLY.  Beginning in April, check your eBills regularly for any outstanding balance that must be paid.  Any final charges such as library fines, parking fines, Health Center charges, etc. are continually added to your bill as quickly as possible so please check weekly and watch for emails from Student Accounts and bills in the mail. You can access your bill on-line though eBill safely and securely 24/7 by logging into student portal and clicking on the eBill link. Payments can be made through the link on eBill, at www.hiram.edu/paymybill, at the Student Accounts Counter, or by mail. Hiram College reserves the right to withhold a student’s grades, transcript, and diploma if there is an unpaid balance.
  • PLEASE COMPLETE NSSE SURVEY (National Survey of Student Engagement) – You should have an invitation in your email or you can go into Student Portal and click on the purple NSSE link to find the survey.  Completers will get $5 in Terrier Cash (or $5 if you are an online or partnership student).  Whoever has a higher participation rate, seniors or first year students, will have a pool party during Springfest! Questions or problems, please contact Laura Van Wormer Andy at vanwormerla@hiram.edu.
  • INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. Be sure to schedule a meeting with the Director of International, Study Away & Out-of-State Student Services to discuss post-graduate planning.
    • DIRECT LOAN BORROWERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE EXIT COUNSELING BEFORE GRADUATION. If not previously completed, complete your Exit Loan Counseling online using your FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID) and password. This should be completed no later than May 1st. Failure to complete this requirement can result in your Hiram College transcripts and diploma being held. Questions regarding this requirement should be directed to Student Financial Services. 

MAY

  • COMPLETE THE CAREER CENTER FIRST DESTINATION SURVEY here
  • RETURN YOUR LIBRARY MATERIALS AND PAY ANY LIBRARY FINES.
  • PICK UP YOUR CAP AND GOWN STARTING ON MAY 8 in the Bookstore.
  • JOIN THE ONLINE ALUMNI COMMUNITY.  As a Hiram College Alumni, you automatically join a network of more than 15,000 alumni.
    • The easiest way to take advantage of this is by keeping your information up-to-date. Please update your information here to ensure you receive all of our communications about events and opportunities for alumni.
    • Join the Hiram College Alumni Facebook and LinkedIn groups.  Just search “Hiram College Alumni” on both sites to find us!

COMMENCEMENT WEEK

  • ATTEND REHEARSAL. Attendance at Commencement Rehearsal is required for all graduates since you will receive full instructions about the academic procession and procedures.  The rehearsal will last approximately 45 minutes and will be presented via Zoom.  Seniors will receive a link when the rehearsal is scheduled.
  • ATTEND REQUIRED FINAL EXAMS. Students are reminded that the approval of graduating seniors at the May faculty meeting is subject to change depending on final exams results and final grades. Therefore, not attending final exams, unless explicitly excused by the professor, could result in not graduating on May 13.
  • STUDENTS NOTIFIED THAT THEY ARE AT RISK OF NOT GRADUATING  MUST GO TO REGISTRAR’S OFFICE TO CONFIRM GRADUATION STATUS. Any student who seems to be in danger of NOT GRADUATING (based on preliminary course grades) will be informed of this fact by phone, email, text or registered mail between May 8 – 12.  Students who receive such notices should contact the Registrar’s Office by Friday, May 12 to be certain they will graduate.
  • UPDATE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE IF YOUR MAILING ADDRESS HAS CHANGED. Diplomas for May graduates will be mailed by first class USPS delivery four to six weeks after Commencement. Please make sure before you leave campus in May that the Registrar’s Office has the correct mailing address on file since your location may have changed from when you completed your graduation audit.
  • ATTEND SENIOR CELEBRATION EVENTS.

COMMENCEMENT DAY

  • BE ON TIME FOR LINE UP FOR COMMENCEMENT. All graduating students are to line up in cap and gown at Price Gymnasium located in the Coleman Sports Center. You MUST be there at 12:50 p.m. or risk not marching.
  • The senior class picture will be taken prior to line up in Price Gym at 1:00 p.m.