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Commencement

Young Harris College looks forward to congratulating the Class of 2024, and celebrating with family, friends, alumni, faculty, and staff.

Tickets for Baccalaureate and the Commencement Ceremony

This link is only for graduating seniors – click here for tickets

VESPERS – WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE CHAPEL

The service is open to all YHC staff, faculty, and students. Graduates especially are invited to come and spend a short time remembering those who helped them get to this wonderful time and event in their life but may no longer be with them. We hope this will give a space to honor the memory of those important people that may not be physically present for your graduation but are in some way still with you and are still very much a part of this important chapter in your life.

SENIOR RECEPTION – THURSDAY, MAY 2 FROM 6-8 P.M. IN SUBER BANQUET HALL

The celebration reception for seniors. Seniors can invite one faculty or staff member as a plus one to bring along as a guest.

BACCALAUREATE – FRIDAY, MAY 3 AT 5:30 P.M. IN GLENN MCGINNIS HALL IN THE CHARLES R. CLEGG FINE ARTS BUILDING

The Baccalaureate service is a worship service traditionally offered by many colleges and universities, and it merges our commitment to faith and the Wesleyan tradition of a “warm heart and trained mind.” Each graduate participating will be presented with a special remembrance gift. Graduates will get five tickets, one for them and four for inviting guests to Baccalaureate. Guests will need a ticket to enter the auditorium.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY – SATURDAY, MAY 4 AT 10:30 A.M. IN THE HARP

The Commencement Ceremony, when caps are thrown and graduates will receive their diplomas. Each graduate will be able to invite eight guests to the ceremony and each guest must have a ticket in order to enter. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.

Accommodations

Young Harris College wants to be sure to provide a welcoming and hospitable environment for everyone for this important milestone. Please complete the form below so we can plan for any needed accommodations for persons with disabilities attending the ceremony. This is an invitation-only event. Please note: Accommodations made after the April 12 deadline may not be possible.

Parking

See map below for YHC Campus parking.

Commencement Accommodations YHC Campus Parking PDF

Commencement Student Awards

Every year, the college recognizes seniors for academic achievement, leadership, spirit and character. Learn more about the awards.

Dr. Charles R. Clegg Outstanding Scholar Award

The Dr. Charles R. Clegg Outstanding Scholar Award is presented to the graduating senior(s) with the overall highest grade point average in all courses completed at Young Harris College. It is named in honor of the late Dr. Charles R. Clegg, beloved president of Young Harris College from 1950 to 1963.

Zell B. Miller Leadership Award

The Zell B. Miller Leadership Award is presented to the graduating senior who has made significant contributions to campus life at Young Harris College as an outstanding leader and role model. It is named in honor of the late Hon. Zell B. Miller, a member of the Young Harris College Class of 1951 and a Lifetime Trustee of the College. Miller served as Georgia’s 79th Governor from 1991 to 1999 and as U.S. Senator from 2000 to 2005. The recipient is selected from campus nominations by a panel of faculty, staff, and administrators.

Young Harris Spirit Award

The Young Harris Spirit Award is presented to the graduating senior who best exemplifies the “Young Harris Spirit,” the indefinable characteristic that Young Harris College students and alumni know makes the College a unique and special place. The student also demonstrates outstanding levels of personal integrity, friendliness and engagement with the campus community. The recipient is selected from campus nominations by a panel of faculty, staff and administrators.

Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan Awards

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan Awards are given annually by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to a male and female graduating student at Young Harris College whose nobility of character and dedication to service sets them apart as examples for others.

The awards were created in 1890 to honor the husband and wife for whom the awards are named. The colleges and universities that participate in the Sullivan Awards program reflect the interest of Algernon Sydney Sullivan and his wife, Mary Mildred Sullivan, a native of Virginia, in the education of students in the American South. Previous recipients of the Sullivan Awards include First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and noted children’s television star Fred Rogers.

Frequently-asked questions about commencement

Who are the people involved in commencement?

Commencement is a time to celebrate our college graduates, but lots of people help bring the ceremony to life.

The most senior member of the faculty serves as the faculty marshal, and carries the mace during the commencement ceremony. The Student Government Association president serves as the student marshal carrying the academic gonfalon. Traditionally, members of the Dorcas Society are selected to serve as student marshals to lead segments of the academic procession and recession.

The platform party is the first group in the academic procession. The group includes the President of the College, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, a representative from the Board of Trustees, the campus minister, and invited honored guests, such as the commencement speaker.

YHC student ambassadors represent the College at a variety of programs and events. One of the largest of these events is Commencement, where the ambassadors serve as ushers, hosts and hostesses to families and guests.

What is the symbolism of the caps and gowns?

A costume for commencement has been a tradition since the beginning of higher education in America. The style and color serve as symbols of collegiate attainment. Holders of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees wear black gowns; the pattern and trimming differ for each degree. The bachelor’s gown is distinguished by its long pointed sleeves. The master’s gown has long sleeves with a slit for the arm at either the elbow or the wrist. Doctor’s gowns are adorned with velvet panels and bars that may be black or of a color distinctive to the wearer’s discipline.

Holders of all degrees wear caps, popularly known as mortarboards, to which a long tassel is fastened and which hangs over the left side of the cap. Doctors may wear tassels of gold thread. Holders of bachelor’s and master’s degrees may wear black or the color appropriate to the academic discipline.

The academic hood is an ornamental fold that goes around the neck and hangs down the back of the gown. The length and shape of the hood vary with the level of the degree. Hoods are generally lined with the colors of the college or university that granted the degree and trimmed with the color representing the faculty by which the degree is granted.

Read about our college emblems

How can I get my final transcript?

Students must request a final transcript in writing to be sent at the end of the semester. Transcript request forms can be found in the Office of the Registrar. Transcripts will not be released until all student accounts and fees have been paid.

How do I graduate?

Students must file an Application for Graduation form with the Office of the Registrar.

When do I get my diploma?

Diplomas will be handed out after the Commencement ceremony. If graduates do not participate, the diploma will be sent by mail. Please contact the Office of the Registrar for more information.

How can I replace my diploma?

Any alumni wishing to replace a diploma must fill out a request form. The diploma replacement fee is $40.