Commencement

Commencement Information

• Attire

  Rather than caps and gowns, the long-standing College of Charleston tradition calls for graduating undergraduate women to wear white dresses and graduating men to wear white dinner jackets (Black dresses/Dinner jackets for the winter commencement).

  Our master's candidates wear regalia with their graduate school discipline's corresponding hood and do not carry flowers. Visit the Graduate School for details about how to order regalia, rental options, hood colors, etc. 

  Attire for undergraduates may be purchased, rented, or crafted from a store or person of your choice. Master's candidates order caps and gowns through the College Bookstore. Below are a few tuxedo rental companies (provided for informational purposes only and not affiliated with or endorsed by the College). 

  • Tux on Trux  www.tuxontrux.com 
  • Charleston Tuxedo www.charlestontuxedo.com 
  • Berlins www.berlinsclothing.com 
• Tickets

  Each graduate will receive four tickets to the commencement ceremony in which they are walking. We cannot issue any additionally tickets. For guests without a ticket, there will be a satellite viewing location on campus, at the Rita Liddy Hollins Science Center. This space is indoors and airconditioned and does not require a ticket for entry.

  Keep an eye out for the ticketing and participation survey which will be sent out the first week of April. Completing this survey will let us know that you intend to participate and is how you will secure your four tickets.

• Flowers

  Flowers, including bouquets and boutonnieres, can be ordered from The Commencement Group for pick-up on the day of commencement.

  We encourage ordering ahead of time to guarantee availability. 

  The Commencement Group
• Weather Policy

  Leading up to the ceremony, College of Charleston monitors the weather for Commencement weekend 24 hours a day.
  
  If inclement weather occurs, the President’s Office will make an announcement that will be prominently displayed on the College of Charleston website home page (www.charleston.edu) as well as on local TV and radio stations. 

  Weather can also delay the start time of the ceremony, and if so, this information will be included in any announcements.

• Traditions, Memorabilia & Mementos

  Keep the celebration going with these gifts, keepsakes, and alumni connections.
  
  

  College of Charleston Ring

  Celebrate your graduate by ordering an official College of Charleston Ring. 
  
  Shop for your official College of Charleston Ring
  
  

  ---

  
  Diploma Frames

  Show off your achievement with a College of Charleston diploma display frame.

  Shop the College of Charleston Bookstore for diploma frames.

   

  ---

  
  Gifts & Accessories

  Select that perfect College of Charleston gift for your grad.

  Shop the College of Charleston Barnes and Noble Bookstore

   

  ---

   

  Class Notes & Alumni Benefits

  Once a Cougar, always a Cougar.

  Join us by staying connected with your classmates and forging new relationships with fellow College of Charleston alumni.

  Whether it’s through a local chapter event, or through social media, the Alumni Association is your source for all things College of Charleston.

  As soon as you graduate, you become a lifetime member of the Alumni Association and there are no dues.

  
  Update your information and submit a Class Note!
  
   

  ---

   

  Grad Pack

  Visit our Grad Party Materials page to download graduation signage, sheet cake graphics, party decorations and more.

  Go Cougars!

  Visit the Grad Party Page!

   

  Yard Sign

  For front yard fanfare or to let graduation party guests know they're in the right spot, share your Cougar pride with friends and family. 

  Download the College of Charleston Graduate Yard Sign

   

  Instagram Frames

  • Silver Instagram grad frame (1890x1920)
  • Maroon Instagram grad frame (1890x1920)
  • Square silver grad frame (1800x1800)
  • Square maroon grad frame (1800x1800)

   

  ---

   

  Personalized Graduation Announcements
  Personalized graduation announcements may be ordered online through Balfour. Please place your order 4-6 weeks prior to ceremony. You can then mail your graduation announcements to family and friends two weeks prior to ceremony.
  
  Special Note: Graduation announcements are not tickets for reserved seating at the College's commencement ceremony in the Cistern Yard.

  Guests with graduation announcements and no ticket can sit at one of the satellite viewing locations, which are located in close proximity to the Cistern Yard and do not require a ticket.
  
  

  Order your graduation announcements through Balfour

   

  ---

   

  Hometown News Announcement

  Media Relations at the College of Charleston regularly distributes news releases announcing graduation, awards, offices held and other student accomplishments to the hometown newspapers of our current students.

  To submit your Hometown News item, please complete and return the Hometown News Form to the contact and address listed on the form.

  Download the Hometown News Form