Graduation

• Deadline for Fall 2024 graduates to apply for graduation: Sept. 9
• Deadline for Spring 2025 graduates to apply for graduation: Feb. 14
• Deadline for Summer 2025 graduates to apply for graduation: March 7
• Deadline for students to order regalia for commencement: March 15
  
• Deadline for students to provide name pronunciation: TBD

Students are responsible for updating/supplying an anticipated graduation date. This information is vital to inform the Registrar’s Office of your intent to graduate. You can update personal info via JetStream.

All Newman graduates, including those attending locations outside of main campus, or online are invited to attend commencement at Park City Arena. Newman University graduates three times a year, however, there is only 1 ceremony per academic year in May.

Graduation applications are sent to students via their Newman email address. To locate final application deadlines, please refer to the online Schedule of Classes Information pages here.

Completion of the graduation application includes the payment of the $100 graduation fee. PAY GRADUATION FEE HERE. This fee covers the diploma, diploma cover, commencement program, venue, and other expenses related to the commencement.

A student’s application for degree is in effect for the academic year in which it is filed. An academic year consists of the fall semester, the spring semester following it, and the summer term following it. If students do not complete their requirements within that academic year they must reapply and should consult their academic advisor for details. Graduation fees are only paid one time per degree level.

If students did not receive an application for graduation in their NU email, they may visit the graduation website and print an application. Students must complete the application, send to their academic advisor for signature, and then submit it to the registrar’s office for review.

• NEWMAN UNIVERSITY - UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE APPLICATION
• NEWMAN UNIVERSITY - GRADUATE DEGREE APPLICATION
• NEWMAN UNIVERSITY - CERTIFICATE APPLICATION

Eligibility for graduation honors is based on the following criteria:

Baccalaureate degree candidate:

• cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above
• minimum of 60 resident hours (excludes nontraditional credit)

Graduation honors indicated on the diploma and transcript are:

• SUMMA CUM LAUDE 3.9 cumulative GPA
• MAGNA CUM LAUDE 3.7 cumulative GPA
• CUM LAUDE 3.5 cumulative GPA

Students who do not meet the 60 resident hour requirement for graduation honors but have a 3.5 or above GPA receive the designation "Academic Commendation" on their transcript.

Students earning a second degree will have honors calculated only on the courses that are used to meet second degree requirements.

Baccalaureate degree candidates qualifying for academic honor cords will have the cords mailed to them. Please contact  [email protected] with questions.

Academic honors are not awarded for graduate degrees - i.e. Master or Doctoral degrees.

Baccalaureate and Master's degree candidates qualifying for the non-academic stole should contact the Office of Student Life with questions at 316.942.4291 ext. 2200.

Students that have applied for graduation will receive a separate application from Student Life regarding the non-academic stole. Students may select up to 3 designations. The requirements for each are listed below:

The Diversity and Inclusion Stole, which would recognize students of different cultural, religious, etc. backgrounds who have faced unique struggles because of their respective identifications while earning their degree. Students applying for this distinction should be able to explain how their experiences and background have played a role in the achievement of their degree.

The Athletic Stole, which would recognize students who will have earned their degree while participating in a sport for the totality of their time at Newman. An athlete applying for this distinction must be in compliance with all the requirements set forth by the Athletic Department and by his/her respective sport team to be considered.

The Student Involvement Stole, which would recognize students who have positively transformed the cultural climate of Newman through things like education, volunteering, discussions, and more.

Non-Academic Stole Application (DEADLINE - April 4, 2025)

To help us accurately state your name as you cross the stage, please submit the form below.

Submit Commencement Name and Info

Purchase your regalia for graduation

May 9th, 2025 7:00pm to 8m @ Dugan Alumni Center

This traditional religious ceremony honors all Newman University graduates. Families are welcome to attend the mass! The ceremony is a Catholic Mass with special music and readings that is celebrated by Bishop Carl Kemme of the Wichita Diocese. Selected graduates will also share reflections about their time at Newman.

Baccalaureate Mass starts at 6pm in St. John’s Chapel, Sacred Heart Hall, Newman University. Please arrive by 5:30pm. Line up will occur on the 1st floor of Sacred Heart Hall. Do not arrive any earlier than 5:15pm.

RSVP to Baccalaureate Mass

If you are unable to attend the Baccalaureate Mass, students are still encouraged to attend the Commencement Ceremony.

All graduating students will be processing into church in their graduation gown only. Caps, tassels, and hoods are not to be worn. There is not a secure location for graduating student to store personal items during Mass.

A reception will be held in Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.  Faculty and staff will assist in directing guests to reception.

Guests may park in any lot on campus. Guests attending that need access to a handicap entrance, please park on the west and south side entrance of Sacred Heart Hall – across from the Mabee Dining Center.

University Relations will provide an opportunity to get FREE professional graduate portraits taken on campus Friday, May 16th, 2025.

(Images of graduates alone and/or with family/friends available).

Location: In front of Sacred Heart Hall near the Cardinal Newman Sculpture. In case of rain, inside the Dugan Library, Student Success Center.

Time: 3-7pm

Portraits will be emailed to graduates the week of May 19th, 2025.

Livestream will be provided on the Newman University Facebook and Youtube accounts.

• Facebook livestream: Link will be available withing a few weeks of event
• Youtube livestream: Link will be available withing a few weeks of event

Graduating students and guests should arrive no earlier than 45 minutes prior to the ceremony.

Only Graduating students MUST enter through doors on the west side of the building. Guests enter through the main doors to Park City Arena. Please see Park City Arena details for guests entrance.

Once the graduating students enter the building, you will be directed to a check-in table. Staff members will distribute name cards with your degree listed on it. You MUST have your card to participate in the line up and ceremony.

The number on the name card denotes your place in the line.

Doctoral and Master’s degree recipients will be hooded on stage during the ceremony and should not arrive wearing the hood. You will process by carrying the hood on your right arm.

You MUST bring all your regalia with you to Park City Arena. You will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony unless you have all the required regalia on and in an acceptable condition.

Decorating your cap is permissible, however, any decorations must be in good taste and may not exceed beyond the edge of the cap in any direction.

When selecting footwear for the commencement ceremony, please be aware that you must walk down an incline to enter Hartman Arena. You will also be standing for an extended period, in addition to processing into the ceremony, and navigating stairs to receive the diploma. It is NOT recommended to wear extremely high heels

Staff will be available to assist with placement if there are questions.

Please note there is not a secure location for graduating students to store personal items at Hartman Arena. Please plan accordingly and leave valuables with family members.

Park City’s address is 8151 North Hartman Arena Drive, Park City, KS 67147. Guest will enter at the main entrance on the east side of building. Seats are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

Handicapped seating is available for guests. For additional accommodations, please e-mail [email protected]. Newman University staff will also be available to provide golf cart rides for those that require assistance from parking lot to entrance.

Although food and beverage will not be available, there are nearby options in Valley Center and Park City.

No commencement celebratory items may be used at the Baccalaureate Mass or at Park City Arena facilities or grounds.

Banned items include air horns, confetti, and silly string. Anyone failing to comply will be removed from the event by security.

Please remember all graduation events will be livestreamed on our social media sites for friends and family unable to attend in person.

• Facebook: Link will be available withing a few weeks of event
• YouTube: Link will be available withing a few weeks of event

Professional photographers will be taking photos of graduates during the ceremony. Guests are NOT permitted on the floor of Park City Arena for pictures.

The program will be available the day of graduation.

Newman University partners with Paradigm, Inc. to produce and mail diplomas to students. Diplomas are mailed to the permanent address on file in JetStream. Students have the responsibility to ensure a correct mailing address.

Students will also receive access to a CeDiploma (electronic verified diploma). Students will receive an email with a link to download your credential when it is available from CeCredentialTrust. If you need to request a new download link, please use the CeCredentialTrust site to https://secure.cecredentialtrust.com/account/resendinvitationlink/

If you have more than one major, only one degree is awarded. If you are earning dual degrees, only one degree will be announced during the Commencement ceremony. Both majors and degrees are listed on the transcript.

Diplomas and CeDiplomas will not be released if students have any holds on their account – i.e., balance due, housing charges, etc.

Students can follow instructions here: https://newmanu.edu/registrar/transcripts

Orders for official transcripts can be made at any time. Students have the option to mark the order as “hold for grades/degree.” The order will not be processed until all grades and degrees have been finalized.