INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES
LINE OF MARCH: It is important that you find your name on the Line of March to assure we have not overlooked anyone. If your name is on the list but you do not plan to attend, please notify graduation@harding.edu, or call 501-279-4328. If your name is not on the list but you do plan to attend, please notify the office.
Alphabetical Line of March - Fall 2024 (link will be provided soon)
9:00 AM ALPHABETICAL LINE OF MARCH pdf
Line of March - Fall 2024 (link will be provided soon)
9:00 AM LINE OF MARCH pdf
There will be no rehearsal for the commencement ceremonies. Rather, students will be led in by faculty marshals.
Where to be for fall 2024 Commencement (December 14, 2024)
Where to be for spring 2025 Commencement (May 10, 2025)
9 a.m. —
12 p.m. —
3 p.m. —
What to wear:
- Men: wear a dress shirt with dark slacks, socks and shoes.
- Women: wear dark clothing and dark shoes.
- Please do not chew gum.
- Please do not decorate your cap or gown in any way or add anything to your regalia other than approved honor cords. Failure to comply could lead to your removal from the line of march.
- Undergraduates should place the tassel on the RIGHT side of the cap; Master’s and Specialist candidates should place the tassel on the LEFT side of the cap. Place the cap on the middle of your head so that the point is lined up with the middle of your forehead. Adjust the mortarboard so it is parallel to the ground — don’t wear it to the side or to the back. You may need some bobby pins or clips to keep it securely on your head.
- Master’s and Specialist candidates should be wearing hoods. The dean or marshal can help during line up if you have a question, but the following are a few helpful tips regarding how to wear your hood:
- Make sure your hood is not inside out; the satin should be on the inside and the black material mostly on the outside.
- Put the hood on over your head with the velvet side up and the small tapered end pointing down in front. There may be a loop on the front point of the hood to secure it to a shirt button, or you may wish to pin the loop to a blouse or dress, under your gown.
- Drape the hood around your neck with the largest portion of the hood hanging down your back.
- Flip the middle of the back of the hood, where the Harding colors are, outward to show the gold and black satin; roll the velvet edge out a bit as well so that the inside colors show. When you’re done, the end of the hood will look somewhat like a shark fin.
- Doctoral candidates should place the tassel on the LEFT side of the tam and will be hooded on stage.