Candidate Information
Message from the Alumni Association
Dear graduating seniors,
For some of you, these past few years have flown by, while some may feel that graduation day would never arrive! So many special moments made up my Barton experience as I am sure you have a long list of your own moments. Soon, you will be able to add Barton Graduate to the top of your list!
While your journey as a student is coming to an end, you now begin a new journey as an alumnus/a. I encourage you to stay connected to Barton by returning to campus as often as you can. After all, Barton is a family—a family that consists of peers, professors, staff, and thousands of alumni from all over the world. When you made the decision to attend Barton, you instantly became a part of this family, and your daily presence on campus will certainly be missed.
As the Alumni Board President and speaking on behalf of all fellow alumni, congratulations, Class of 2024! We are very proud of you and cannot wait to see what this big world has to offer you and what you will offer the world. I look forward to officially welcoming you into the Alumni Association during Commencement Exercises.
Best wishes for the journey ahead, but never forget the way back home as Barton’s door will always be open to you!
– Amy Denton, ’94
President, Alumni Association
Caps and Gowns
In order to receive your cap and gown, you must:
- Pick up your cap and gown from the Office of the Registrar in Harper Hall starting April 22.
- All caps and gowns are black in color.
Contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@barton.edu if you have questions.
Policy Regarding Commencement Regalia
The commencement ceremony recognizes the membership of degree recipients in a community of educated men and women that is characterized by mutuality and collegiality. Barton College supports the wearing of honor cords and stoles at commencement by students who have earned their privileges through achieving academic honors, induction into college-recognized honor societies, being a member of the U.S. military, and being an honorably discharged U.S. veteran.
Further, in recognition of the learning and development that also takes place outside the classroom, graduating seniors are given the opportunity to wear regalia that represents their co-curricular engagement during their years at Barton.
The college allows students to wear the following cords during commencement:
Gold cords
Issued by the Office of the Registrar to all undergraduate students who will graduate with Latin honors. These cords will be in the students’ cap and gown packets.
Red, White, and Blue cords
Issued by the Office of the Registrar to recognize honorably discharged U.S. veteran students and current students serving in the U.S. military (active duty, National Guard, and Reserves). All eligible students must contact the Office of the Registrar to obtain the cords.
Other Cords Issued by College-Recognized Academic Honor Societies
The student is responsible for obtaining the cord if he or she wishes to wear it during the commencement ceremony.
College-Recognized Honor Societies:
- Alpha Chi, the national college honor scholarship society
- Alpha Lambda, the national honor society for religion and philosophy
- Alpha Phi Sigma, the national honor society for criminal justice
- Gamma Sigma Alpha, the national Greek academic honor society
- Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education
- Phi Alpha, the national honor society for social work
- Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society for political science
- Sigma Beta Delta, an international honor society for business, management, and administration
- Sigma Theta Tau, the national honor society for nursing students
- The Society for Collegiate Journalists, the national honor society for mass communications majors
Approved Co-Curricular Organizations
Officially recognized student organizations in good standing with the Student Government Association may apply for their seniors to wear regalia that symbolizes the organization’s distinctive learning outcomes. Applications will be reviewed and approved by a committee consisting of representatives from the Student Government Association, Student Engagement and Success, and Academic Affairs.
Commencement Preview
The Commencement Preview presentation is available here.
Official Photographs
As each graduate walks across the stage, a picture will be taken by a professional photographer. A posed photograph will also be taken once each graduate has stepped off the stage.
Each graduate will receive an email from the photographer with a link to the website, http://www.photospecialties.com, and a password that allows the graduate to view and order graduation photos online. A free color proof will also be mailed to the permanent address so that the graduate will have the opportunity to purchase these prints. There is no obligation to purchase prints.
For more information, please contact info@photospecialties.com or call 800-722-7033.
Requirements for Graduation
Application for Graduation
You must fully complete and submit an Application for Graduation. The applications are available on Campus Connect during the fall until January 1. Your name on your diploma will be as it appears on your Application for Graduation.
Commencement vs. Graduation
Participation in the Commencement ceremony does not necessarily mean that you will be graduated; this especially applies to summer graduates. Barton College will graduate you once, and only once, you have completed all of your degree requirements. Diplomas will indicate only the degree and not the major/s. If a student completes a double major within the same degree, only one degree (one diploma) is earned.
Official Graduation Dates on Diplomas
- May 2024 graduates – May 8
- Summer 2024 graduates – August 2
Summer Graduate Candidates: Undergraduate students who are applying for summer graduation must be within six (6) hours of graduation and have at least a 2.00 cumulative Barton College GPA prior to Commencement. All students must provide evidence by April 22, that they are pre-registered for the appropriate courses in summer school in order to participate in the Commencement ceremony. An approved request form prior to enrollment is required for all course work taken at other institutions during the summer.
Cap and Gown Orders
If you plan to participate in the Commencement ceremony, you must complete the Cap and Gown section of the Application for Graduation. Caps and gowns may be picked up April 22 – May 10, 2024, at the Office of the Registrar.
2.00 Minimum GPA for Undergraduates
You must complete the requirements for graduation with a Barton College GPA of at least 2.00. The GPA of courses taken in the major and/or minor must also be at least 2.00.
Undergraduate Graduating with Honors
The grade point average is computed on all work attempted at all colleges attended.
3.30 – 3.59 = Cum Laude
3.60 – 3.89 = Magna Cum Laude
3.90 – 4.00 = Summa Cum Laude
Diplomas
Diplomas for May 2024 graduates will be mailed to the home address. Please make sure you have confirmed your current/home address with the Office of the Registrar by emailing registrar@barton.edu.
Processional
All graduates will line up in the Kennedy Recreational and Intramural Center (KRIC). Each graduate will be given a degree card. Hold on to this card! During Commencement, the graduate will give this degree card to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will read the name, major, and degree.