Tassels, tickets and a stadium send-off
Elisa Wells, Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of Callie Meyerholtz
Currently, there are 356 students on track to graduate this May, marking a significant milestone for North Greenville University. Commencement is scheduled for May 8 at 7 p.m., where graduates will gather with family, friends and faculty to celebrate years of hard work and dedication. The ceremony is going to take place in Younts Stadium with open seating. In the case of inclement weather, such as rain, the ceremony will be moved to Turner Chapel where entry will be granted by ticket to accommodate space limitations.
In preparation for the ceremony, Graduates will pick up their regalia on April 27, 2026, at 10 a.m. During this time, tickets will also be distributed in case the event needs to move indoors. The regalia pickup will include a pancake breakfast that provides graduates the opportunity to connect with faculty, administrators and fellow classmates one last time before graduation.
Pam Farmer, registrar, said “We do pancakes out on the griddles and students can pick up their regalia and get pancakes and spend time with the deans and the vice presidents.”
Behind the scenes, a committee organizes everything that occurs during commencement and ensures that every detail runs smoothly.
“There is a committee that actually works on the program, so we have different people that are handling different sections,” said Angel Covington, graduation coordinator/senior academic adviser.
As graduation approaches, academic requirements are finalized. Senior grades will be available on May 7, with official transcripts opening the following week. However, students completing online coursework will still be permitted to walk in the ceremony even if assignment are not finished by date.
Looking ahead to the day of the ceremony, graduates are expected to arrive at 5:45 p.m. on May 8 to allow for organization and preparation. Shuttles will be available to help with transportation.
Graduates are also expected to follow a dress code. Male graduates should wear dark shoes, dark pants and a nice shirt. Female graduates should wear dark shoes with dark pants and nice shirt or a dress. For all graduates, the tassel should start on the right side and only approved cords, stoles and medallions allowed.
The ceremony will be an open celebration at Younts Stadium and family and friends are invited to attend. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream will be available at go.ngu.edu/commencement, which ensures that loved ones can still take part in the occasion.
Highlighting the event, the commencement speaker will be David S. Dockery, who is the current presider of Southwestern Baptist Theological seminary. He is the author of more than 45 books and has been a mentor for many leaders such as Gene C. Fant Jr., president of NGU. Dockery has been married to his wife for more than 50 years and has three married sons with eight grandchildren.
As the ceremony approaches, anticipation continues to build among graduates and the university community. Commencement not only marks the academic achievement, but also serves as the beginning of new opportunities, careers and callings.
