northeastern seminary

Only Northeastern Seminary graduating students are to complete this questionnaire. Please write down your confirmation code as it is required for the Northeastern Seminary Graduation Survey. This survey is about 150 questions and will take 15-20 minutes to complete.

The Association of Theological Schools is one of two accrediting bodies for Northeastern Seminary. All graduates are required to complete this survey in order to participate in commencement. 

This form is to be completed by all Northeastern Seminary and RocBible graduates. This survey will confirm how you would like your name and bio read during the ceremony. It also helps us stay connected with you in the future and provides information collected by the Career Development Office.

Use this Phonetic Spelling Guide.

Share some photos, a meaningful memory, or favorite faculty quote from your time at Northeastern Seminary or RocBible! Instructions: 1. Create a Padlet account in the top right corner 2. Select the heart icon to save this to Padlet to your account.

Review the Ceremony Details section on this page to make sure you do not have any questions about what is expected on the day of Commencement. 

Questions? Contact Maria Gilluly at gilluly_maria@roberts.edu or 585.594.6807. 

Venue

Hale Auditorium in the Cultural Life Center on the campus of Roberts Wesleyan College. Google Maps directions.

Parking

Parking will be available in Lot A, located off of Orchard Street behind Pearce Memorial Church. Accessible parking is also available on the lower level of the Cultural Life Center. Please allow extra time for parking due to other events taking place on campus.

Saturday, May 21, 2022

12:00 PM | Doors open

We ask that all graduates please plan to arrive at 12:45 pm at the very latest to allow time for parking and getting dressed. Upon arrival, graduates will be directed to the graduate dressing area in Shewan Recital Hall and guests will be shown to their seats by an usher. 

1:15 PM | Ceremony Live Stream begins

Live Streaming will be available on Northeastern Seminary’s website. 

1:30 PM | Ceremony

Ceremony Begins - Graduates will begin the ceremony with a processional march into the auditorium. See detailed instructions for processional order and directions. Graduates will remain standing until after the invocation. If you are late to the ceremony you will be asked to wait and be ushered to your seat after the processional.

Hooding Ceremony & Crossing the Platform - During the Crossing of the Platform graduates will stand and walk forward to center stage after their name is called. Dr. Doug Cullum will present each graduate with a hood or cord as they cross the stage. Graduates will then continue walking to President Porterfield to receive their diplomas and take a photo. After the photo, graduates will walk to the greeter and then proceed behind the platform party to the usher. Faith will direct graduates when it is clear to return to their seats. See detailed instructions.

Recessional - At the end of the ceremony, graduates will recess out of the auditorium. See detailed instructions.

3:00 | Reception

A light reception will be served for graduates and their families in Shewan Recital Hall following the ceremony. All are welcome to attend. The photographer will be available following the ceremony to take candid photos of graduates as desired.

Graduates are not limited by the number of guests they can bring. Tickets are not required for this ceremony.

To ensure that we protect ourselves and each other while on the campus of Northeastern Seminary and Roberts Wesleyan College. We ask all participants and guests to monitor their own health and to stay home if:

• You are experiencing any of the following symptoms in the past 24 hours, which are not typical? Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, pain or pressure in the chest that doesn’t go away, confusion or trouble waking up, or bluish lips or face. 
• In the last 5 days, you have tested positive for COVID-19 or been ordered to self-quarantine because of close contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case. 

Mask-wearing is optional indoors and masks will be available if desired. Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the venue.

Caps and gowns have been ordered for all 2022 Northeastern Seminary and RocBible graduates. For graduates participating in person, your cap and gown will be preset for you in Shewan Recital Hall before the ceremony. You do not need to come to campus before commencement to pickup your cap and gown. Tassels are to be worn on the left of your cap.

This ceremony calls for academic apparel (caps and gowns) and appropriate dress. Graduates should wear professional dress underneath their gowns. Business professional slacks, shirts, suits, or dresses are appropriate for this academic event. Jewelry and/or a corsage worn outside of gowns are not considered appropriate academic apparel. Hair clips or pins are encouraged to help secure caps. You will need to walk up and down a few sets of stairs during the ceremony please be mindful of your footwear.

Online graduates will be mailed their hood and diploma cover following the ceremony.

If you or your guest need special seating due to the use of a wheelchair, crutches, or other mobility restrictions, or if you need a Sign Language Interpreter, please email gilluly_maria@roberts.edu or call 585.594.6807 by 5/12/2022.

Commencement will be professionally photographed. Each graduate will have their photo taken as they receive their diploma. Instructions will be provided in how to access your digital photo file after graduation.