Graduation Information

Students should check their Chowan email regularly for updates regarding graduation requirements. A final confirmation email will be sent by 5:00 PM on May 8, 2026, to confirm eligibility for graduation.

📅 When: Second week of April (*estimated)
📍 Where: Registrar’s Office

Each graduate will receive:
✔️ Cap & Gown (required for participation)
✔️ 12 Tickets for family and friends (children under 3 do not need a ticket)

*Students will receive notifications via email when they have arrived and can be picked up.

💍 Class rings can be purchased from Herff Jones:
🔗 collegerings.herffjones.com

• Blue Cord Campaign – Take your first step as a proud Chowan University Alum by purchasing your Blue Cord—a symbol of your transition from student to alumni and your first act of giving back.

Buy a Blue Cord

For family and friends traveling in, here are recommended hotels near campus:

🏨 Hilton Garden Inn – Roanoke Rapids, NC
📍 111 Carolina Crossroads Pkwy, Roanoke Rapids, NC
📞 (252) 519-2333

🏨 Hampton Inn – Roanoke Rapids, NC
📍 85 Hampton Blvd, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
📞 (252) 537-7555

• Mention “Chowan” for a possible special rate
• Breakfast included

📍 North-side (left) parking lot, Hawks Athletic Center

• 7:30 AM – Rehearsal (MANDATORY)
  • Wear casual clothes.
  • If you are not present and on time, you will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
• 9:00 AM – Final Line-Up
  • Cap & Gown Required

NOTE: Balloons and large items are not permitted at Commencement to ensure clear sightlines for all guests.

📍 Hawks Athletic Center, 757 Union St, Murfreesboro, NC (Graduation Ceremony Diagram)

• 8:30 AM – Doors Open for Guests (Seating is first-come, first-served)
• 10:00 AM – Graduation Ceremony Begins

🚗 Parking (Campus Parking Map):

• Students must park on main campus and walk to the venue.
• Handicapped parking is available with limited spaces. Security will assist with drop-offs as needed.

🎟️ Guest Tickets:

• Each graduate gets 12 tickets.
• Children under 3 do not need a ticket but must sit on an adult’s lap.

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available.

Cap & Tassel Guidelines

✔️ Black tassels should be worn on the right front side of the cap for undergraduate degrees and on the left front side for master’s degrees.
✔️ Gentlemen should remove caps for prayers, the National Anthem, and the Alma Mater.

Cap Decoration Rules

If you choose to decorate your cap, follow these important guidelines:
✅ Allowed:

• Only decorate the flat top of the cap.
• Designs must be appropriate and respectful.

❌ Not Allowed:

• No 3D decorations, lights, bows, ribbons, or hanging items.
• No offensive content (including references to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, or sex).
• No dancing or theatrics during the ceremony.

🚨 Violating these guidelines may result in removal from the ceremony.

Formal Dress Code

Graduation is a formal event. Dress accordingly:
✔️ Men: White shirt, tie, dark pants.
✔️ Women: Dress or dark-colored dress pants.
✔️ Shoes:

• No flip-flops or brightly colored sneakers (black sneakers are okay).
• Avoid high heels—stairs and stage walking may be challenging.

🚨 Students with inappropriate attire may be removed from the lineup.

Special Regalia

Only members of approved academic and leadership organizations may wear honor cords, stoles, or special regalia.

Recognized groups include:

• Academic Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude
• Honor Societies: Alpha Chi, Beta Beta Beta, Phi Alpha Theta, Psi Chi, etc.
• Leadership Groups: Honors College, Chowan Fellows, Student Government
• Greek Organizations: Order of Omega
• Athletics & Service Organizations: Blue Cord Campaign, Chi Alpha Sigma

Juniors/Seniors – Alpha Chi
First-Year Students – Alpha Lambda Delta

Biology – Beta Beta Beta
History – Phi Alpha Theta

Education – Kappa Delta Pi
Psychology – Psi Chi
Business Administration – Sigma Beta Delta
Phi Beta Lambda
Criminal Justice – Alpha Phi Sigma
English – Sigma Tau Delta
Mathematics and Science– Sigma Zeta
Religion – Theta Alpha Kappa
Social Sciences – Pi Gamma Mu
Art – Kappa Pi
Physical Education – Phi Epsilon Kappa
Music – Pi Kappa Lambda
First Generation Students – Alpha Alpha Alpha
Honors College
Leadership Scholars
Student Government Officers
Athletes – Chi Alpha Sigma
Greek – Order of Omega
Student Athletes
Blue Cord Campaign
Greek Organizations
SNCAE
NAACP

🚨 Unauthorized regalia is not allowed.

📍 Back Hall of the Hawks Athletic Center (Graduation Processional Diagram)

• On stage: You will receive a blank diploma cover.
• After the ceremony: Your actual diploma will be handed out.

📸 Professional Graduation Photos

• Grad Images will take photos of each student as they cross the stage.
• Graduates will be contacted after the event for purchasing options.

📷 Personal Photography

• Guests may take photos from their seats but cannot enter the roped-off area near the stage.

🎥 Livestream Information

• The ceremony will be livestreamed on the Chowan website:
  🌐 conferencecarolinasdn.com/cuhawks

The Chowan cafeteria will be closed, but Murfreesboro has several great local restaurants for post-ceremony celebrations. Reservations are recommended!

📞 Questions? Contact the Registrar’s Office:
📧 registrar@chowan.edu
📞 (252) 398-6263