FHU Graduation

What is the time and date graduation?

Graduation will take place at 10:00am Saturday, December 10, 2022 in Loyd Auditorium.

The ceremony will be livestreamed to allow your  family and friends to attend virtually: https://www.fhu.edu/commencement

What time is Rehearsal?

There will no Graduation rehearsal

What should I wear to graduation?

Men should wear white dress shirts with a dark tie and dark dress pants. Black dress shoes are preferable, but not required.

Women should wear a simply-styled light-weight dress without a high neckline or a blouse paired with dark dress slacks and dark shoes.

May I decorate the top of my cap?

No, to preserve the formality of the event, graduates may not decorate the tops of their graduation caps.

Is the stage handicap accessible?

The stage is handicap accessible. Please notify Heidi Sprouse (hsprouse@fhu.edu) before November 15, 2022, if you need mobility assistance.

How do I order graduation announcements and/or a class ring?

Graduates, at their own expense, may order rings, announcements, and other graduation-related items (excluding regalia) online at HerffJones/college grad

Once you are on the website, you will search for Freed-Hardeman University and then follow the steps to access your options for graduation supplies. 

Photographs - An FHU photographer will be taking pictures as graduates receive diploma covers and shake hands with President Shannon. To purchase a copy of this picture:

• Go to https://photos.fhu.edu/Academics/2022-2023

• Click December 2022 .Photos will be in order of the way graduates walked across the stage. (Please allow four to six weeks for the photos to be posted to the website.)

• When photo is found, click Buy Photos (at the top right).This will give information needed to complete an order to purchase photos with a credit card.

Reception in Your Honor - All graduates and guests are invited to a reception immediately following the graduation ceremony. The reception is hosted by the Freed-Hardeman Alumni Association and is held in the Brewer Sports Center.

Return Stoles and Cords - Graduates who have not purchased gold honor chords, stoles or medallions must return the items after the ceremony. A table will be located inside the Brewer Sports Center for you to return regalia. *please see your student email for exact details concerning cost.

• To purchase these items prior to graduation please contact Heidi Sprouse (hsprouse@fhu.edu).

• To purchase evening of graduation, please bring check/cash.

Will I be able to use my FHU email address after I graduate?

Graduates have access to student email accounts for six months after their last registered semester. A notice is sent to all accounts 30 days prior to the account being closed. 

Seating in Loyd for the ceremony will be general seating. Sections of the main floor are reserved for the graduating students and faculty. The unreserved main floor seats and balcony will be available for guests of graduates. A small number of seats for those with limited mobility will be available. It is suggested guests desiring these seats arrive early.

Live Stream Link will become available for all of your friends and family NOT traveling to campus. This link will open at 9:45am on the morning of graduation. 

Parking is limited by Loyd Auditorium The ceremony will be held in Loyd Auditorium (Building 34 on the campus map). Please allow additional time to secure parking for you and your guests. 

• https://www.fhu.edu/about/visit/map 

• https://www.fhu.edu/about/visit/directions

Photographs - An FHU photographer will be taking pictures as graduates receive diploma covers and shake hands with President Shannon. To purchase a copy of this picture:

• Go to https://photos.fhu.edu/Academics/2022

• Click December 2022 .Photos will be in order of the way graduates walked across the stage. (Please allow four to six weeks for the photos to be posted to the website.)

• When photo is found, click Buy Photos (at the top right).This will give information needed to complete an order to purchase photos with a credit card.

Undergraduate Students: wear their caps, gowns, and tassels. If applicable, students will wear their honor cords, Alpha Chi medallion, and/or Honors College stole.

Master’s and Specialist Students: wear their caps, tassels, gowns, hoods, college stoles, and medallions (if M.Div. or Ed.S.). Students will be presented with a pin on stage and have it affixed to their stole. Students completing a dual BBA/MBA program should wear their Master’s regalia along with any undergraduate honors regalia (Alpha Chi, honor cords, or Honors College stole).

Doctoral Students: wear their doctoral robes, college stoles, caps, and tassels. If the student previously obtained his or her Ed.S., and purchased the medallion, they may wear it. Medallions will not be provided for those that do not have one in their possession. Doctoral students will be hooded on stage.

Graduates of Freed-Hardeman receive a complimentary cap, gown and tassel. Masters or higher graduates receive complimentary cap, gown, tassel and hood. This regalia is ordered by the University Bookstore and may be picked up at the Henderson campus in December until time of graduation at the University Bookstore. 

A student may contact the Bookstore (knixon@fhu.edu) concerning questions or concern regarding regalia. 

A student, if applicable, will also receive specialty pieces of regalia. These items are honor chords, EDS medallion or the program stole worn during the graduation ceremony. A student may purchase the specialty item. This may be done prior to the ceremony by contacting   hsprouse@fhu.edu  If a student does not wish to purchase the item, student may return the item(s) after the reception in Brewer Sports Center. A table will be set up for you. *Please note, if not returned, the cost of the honor chords, medallion and/or program stole will be added to your student account.

Instructions for ordering your official transcript

• Your transcript may be ordered as electronic pdf or mailed hard-copy.

• If there is a University Hold on your transcript, it must be cleared prior to being released.

• Your degree(s) major(s) and minor(s): undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate transcripts are included in every order for $5.00 (Parchment/National Clearinghouse fees are additional cost).

• You may order at this link: https://www.fhu.edu/academics/registrar/transcript

• Any name change requests must include proper documentation

• Most transcript requests are completed within two business days

The button above takes you to the academic forms page of FHU.edu website.  

1.  You will click on the  form you wish to create – Intent to Graduate

2.  Enter your student email (this will send you a OTP code)

* open your student email and get the 4-digit code (this allows you access into the student portal)

3. Enter the 4-digit code into the "browser" and continue to enter your information.

4. At the bottom of the form you will see a 'green' icon. Once you click it - the form is automatically forwarded to your listed Advisor for approval.  

5. When your Advisor rules on your request. If approved, the graduation application will be emailed to you.

When is my graduation application due to the registrar’s office?

Graduation applications for December are to be submitted electronically to the registrar’s office by 5:00pm on August 26, 2022. (The application will not be available after this date, see instructions below).

Graduation applications for May  are to be submitted electronically to the registrar’s office by 5:00pm on January 26, 2023. (The application will not be available after this date, see instructions below).

Graduation applications for August are to be submitted electronically to the registrar’s office by 5:00pm on April 6, 2023. (The application will not be available after this date, see instructions below).

I have missed the deadline for graduation – what do I do?

Students who have missed the deadline will complete an Academic Petition. 

The button above takes you to the academic forms page of FHU.edu website.  

1.  You will click on the form you wish to create – Academic Petition

2.  Enter your student email (this will send you a OTP code)

* open your student email and get the 4-digit code (this allows you access into the student portal)

3. Enter the 4-digit code into the "browser" and continue to enter your information.

4. You will request to be added to the ‘graduation list’.

5. At the bottom of the form you will see a 'green' icon. Once you click it - the form is automatically forwarded to your listed Advisor for approval.  

6. Your Advisor rules on your request. If approved, the graduation application will be emailed to you.

How do I complete my ‘Intent to Graduate’ form for graduation?