Commencement

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Spring 2024 Commencement will be at

6:30 P.M. Thursday, May 9, 2024
Neches Arena at the Montagne Center
4401 S Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy


 
Are you graduating?
If so, please be sure to complete the Graduation Checklist by April 5, 2024.

Commencement Rehearsal:
Join us for rehearsal at the Neches Arena at the Montagne Center at 10 a.m. May 9, 2024.

Commencement Speaker:

Would you like to address your fellow graduates? Become a commencement speaker, please see the application process below. Applications must be submitted by March 22, 2024.
Step One: Review your degree audit 
Verify that all degree requirements have been met or are in-progress to be met Spring 2024 term. You can review the degree audit in DegreeWorks, which is located on your MyLIT account.
 
Step Two: File Intent to Graduate Form
On February 1, 2024, the Intent to Graduate form will be available. Complete the Intent to Graduate form and submit it to your department by March 8, 2024. A student must have submitted a Graduation Application by April 5, 2024 for their name to listed in the commencement program.

Click Here for the "Intent to Graduate" form

 
 
Step Three: Apply for Graduation
Your department will evaluate your degree audit for graduation. If you’re cleared as a candidate for graduation, the graduation status on your audit will update to complete, pending final grades of the term.
  • Requirements will be checked off and it will state the "Graduation application accepted-Congratulations"
  • If your audit needs further review, your audit will indicate further review is needed by your academic advisor.
  • If you are no longer a candidate for graduation, your audit status will state "Your graduation requirements for the term were not met - Contact your department advisor."
  • Applications for Spring 2024 graduation are available on Self-Service Banner beginning February 1, 2024 through April 5, 2024.
  • The online application will ONLY be accessible after your "Intent to Graduate" form has been processed. 
  • An email will be sent to your LIT student email with directions on how to apply.
If you do not receive an email, see “no curriculum” in Self-Service Banner and/or do not see a graduation block on your audit, the process was not completed, please contact your department immediately.

 When applying, verify the following:
  • Degree/Major is correct
  • Name, you can only change your middle name
    • If your first or last name has changed, you must submit an official request by emailing grad@lit.edu. Indicate you are graduating in the subject line. Official corrections must be received by April 5, 2024.
    • If you need to correct capitalization, add periods or add a suffix (Jr. Sr. I, II...) you can do this when you apply or contact Student Services at the emails provided below to make the correction by April 5, 2024.
  • Mailing address
  • Indicate if you plan to attend the commencement ceremony. If your plans change after submitting your application notify Student Services, no later than April 12, 2024.
If you have already applied and any of the above information has changed please immediately contact: grad@lit.edu
 
Step Four: Participate in Commencement
Rehearsal for Commencement will be on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the Neches Arena at the Montagne Center.

Spring 2024 Commencement will be held on Thursday,May 9, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Neches Arena at the Montagne Center. Please note that you must have applied for graduation to participate in the ceremony.
  • Benefits of attending
    • Publicly recognize your achievement
    • Name and honors (if applicable) announced 
    • Celebrating with fellow graduates in your department, faculty and staff, family and friends
    • Professional photographs will be taken and students will have the opportunity to purchase copies
  • Dress code
    1. All graduates must wear graduation regalia (cap and gown). 
    2. Cap and gown can be purchased at Lamar University’s Barnes and Noble Bookstore or lit.shopoakhalli.com.
    3. Arrive dressed in your regalia.
    4. Please leave all purses and other personal items with someone as you are not allowed to have any personal items with you in your assigned room or during the ceremony.
    5. Please follow instructions of the designated faculty and staff members. They are there to assist you and make sure the ceremony starts on time and proceeds orderly. 
    6. Graduations candidates will receive name cards, honor cords, and veteran cords upon check-in.
    7. Guests of graduates should be seated 15 minutes prior to ceremony start time. Guests do not need tickets, and there is not a limit on the number of guests per graduate.
*If you are enrolled in courses at an institution other than LIT, you must submit official transcripts to admissions@lit.edu within 4 weeks of graduation to remain a degree candidate for the semester.
 
Step Five: Receive Your Degree
Congratulations on your achievement!

Your degree will be conferred and your official transcripts updated with your conferral date after you are cleared for graduation (no remaining requirements, final courses in progress successfully completed) at the end of the term. Your diploma can be picked up at the Eagle’s Nest one week after Commencement Ceremony, May 16, 2024. If you need your diploma mailed, there is a $6 fee, and we ask that you allow up to 2 to 4 weeks to receive your diploma by mail. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not constitute official graduation from LIT; your degree must be conferred before you are considered a graduate of LIT.

** There is no fee required to receive your diploma. However, all outstanding balances must be paid in full prior to the release of diplomas.
  • Be sure to check your student account balance on Self-Service Banner or by contacting Cashiering at (409) 839-2064
If you need official transcripts, you can order them via Self Service Banner, email, or in person. See https://www.lit.edu/student-success/transcripts.
Commencement Speaker Application:

You must submit the following by Friday, March 22, 2024 to the e-mail: grad@lit.edu:

  • Cover page with the following information:
    • Name
    • Student ID Number
    • Address
    • City/State
    • Phone Number(s)
    • E-mail Address
    • Degree or Certificate Program
    • Graduation Date
  • Copy of 5 minute speech to the e-mail: grad@lit.edu
Candidates will be judged on:
  • Clarity of ideas
  • Appeal to a broad audience & common experiences of LIT students
  • Quality of speech content
  • Length of presentation (no longer than 5 minutes)
  • Speaker's delivery - well prepared, engaging, vocal variety, animated delivery, stage presence