Commencement
Young Harris College, Class of 2025
Thursday, May 8, 6-8 p.m.
Senior Reception
Friday, May 9, 5:30 p.m.
Baccalaureate Service
Saturday, May 10, 10:30 a.m.
Commencement Service
Thursday, May 8, 6-8 p.m.
The deadline to reserve your space for Senior Reception is April 29, by 5 p.m.
The reception is Thursday, May 8, 6-8 p.m., Suber Banquet Hall, Rollins Campus Center.
Faculty and Staff will be in attendance to celebrate your time at YHC and this important milestone in your life. Hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages as well as beer and wine, will be served. Guests 21 years of age and older must provide proof of age and will be provided with a wristband allowing for up to two alcoholic beverages.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all Young Harris College-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Kathy Pachman by April 29 at 5 p.m.
Please feel free to contact Kathy with any questions.
Friday, May 9, at 5:30 p.m.
Check-in at Suber Banquet Hall at 4:30 p.m.
Students will receive the stoles that they will wear at Commencement from a person who has influenced their time at YHC.
It is the responsibility of the participants attending the Baccalaureate Service to ask the person to present the Commencement Stole and confirm that they are able to attend the Baccalaureate Service.
The presenter may be a member of the Faculty or Staff, or a friend or family member. A presenter may only present to two graduates, so ask ASAP!
*Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all Young Harris College-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Wendy Morgan by April 13.
Senior Journals
Senior Journals will be available for faculty, staff, and students to sign in the Chapel beginning Monday, April 14, at noon. Journals will be lined up alphabetically in the pews to enable signers to quickly locate a senior’s journal. Please do not remove the journals from the Chapel. Journals will be distributed to Seniors during the Baccalaureate Service check-in.
Please note: Registering to attend the Baccalaureate Service is a 2-Step Process. Registration MUST be completed by April 29.
1. Register by clicking the Registration Form for Baccalaureate Service link below, and;
2. Sign up for your tickets by clicking on the Baccalaureate Ticketing System link.
Register for the Baccalaureate Service using this link: Baccalaureate Service
Click on the following link to sign up for your tickets. You are allowed up to five tickets (For you, for your presenter, and three guests). See the instructions below on how to sign up for tickets.
Baccalaureate Ticketing System
Please follow the directions below to obtain Baccalaureate Service Tickets
Please note: You are allowed up to five tickets (For you, your presenter, and three guests).
1. To obtain tickets for the Baccalaureate Service, please click on this link: Baccalaureate Ticketing System
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you see “Baccalaureate Service.”
3. Click “Get Tickets.”
4. Click ‘Have a passcode?’
5. Enter your Student ID into the ‘Passcode’ box. Example: 123456 (Do NOT enter the three zeroes before entering your 6-digit Student ID.)
6. Click ‘Apply.’
7. Press the ‘+’ and ‘-’ to reach your desired number of tickets. You are allowed up to 4 tickets (1 for your presenter, and 3 for guests). Note that the price will not change from $0 as you adjust your tickets to any number from 0–4.
8. Click ‘Checkout.’
9. Review your order to make sure the number of tickets listed is correct. (No payment is required for your tickets.)
10. Enter your contact information in the appropriate boxes.
11. Read and accept the ‘Terms of Service’ and ‘Privacy Policy.’
12. If the information at the top of the review page has the wrong number of tickets, click ‘release tickets and start over.’ If the number of tickets and your contact information is complete and correct, click ‘Submit Order.’
13. You will be taken to a ‘Thanks for your order’ page. You can download your tickets from this page. You will also receive a receipt via email, and this email will contain each ticket as its own PDF document. You may forward tickets to your guest(s) via email or print a hard copy. Each ticket has a unique QR Code. If you do not receive the email confirmation, please check your spam/junk folder.
*Tickets are required for the Baccalaureate. Guests may bring paper tickets or tickets via mobile device.
You will receive an email on or before April 26 re-confirming your registration, the number of tickets you signed up for, and any additional instructions you need for the event.
Contact Kathy Pachman with any questions.
Saturday, May 10, at 10:30 a.m.
Sign up below to reserve your tickets for the Commencement!
*Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all Young Harris College-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Wendy Morgan by April 13.
- To obtain tickets for Commencement, please click on this link: Commencement Ticketing System
- Click ‘Have a passcode?’
- Enter your Student ID into the ‘Passcode’ box. Example: 123456 (Do not enter the 3 zeroes before entering your 6-digit Student ID.)
- Click ‘Apply.’
- Press the ‘+’ and ‘-’ to reach your desired number of guest tickets. Note that the price will not change from $0 as you adjust your tickets to any number from 0–8. (These tickets do not include yourself. You are allowed to bring up to 8 guests.)
- Click ‘Checkout.’
- Review your order to make sure the number of tickets listed is correct. (No payment is required for your tickets.)
- Enter your contact information in the appropriate boxes.
- Read and accept the ‘Terms of Service’ and ‘Privacy Policy.’
- If the information at the top of the review page has the wrong number of tickets, click ‘release tickets and start over.’ If the number of tickets and your contact information is complete and correct, click ‘Submit Order.’
- You will be taken to a ‘Thanks for your order’ page. You can download your tickets from this page. You will also receive a receipt via email, and this email will contain each ticket as its own PDF document. You may forward tickets to your guest(s) via email or print a hard copy. Each ticket has a unique QR Code, so please download each individual ticket and distribute it accordingly. If you do not receive the email confirmation, please check your spam/junk folder.
*Tickets are required for Commencement. Guests may bring paper tickets or tickets via mobile device.
Contact Megan Ridley with any ticketing system questions.
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.
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.
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.
Students must file an Application for Graduation form with the Office of the Registrar.
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.
Any alumni wishing to replace a diploma must fill out a request form. The diploma replacement fee is $40.
