Dear Graduate:

The Lindenwood University-Belleville Commencement Committee joins me in offering congratulations and best wishes to each of you as we approach Commencement 2013.

The inaugural Lindenwood University-Belleville Commencement ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 2:00 p.m., and is open for the participation of students who have completed degrees as of August, September, October, or December 2012 and March or May 2013. Students who plan to complete a degree before the end of June, August, or September 2013 are also invited to participate if they meet the requirements of current University policy governing participation in the ceremony.

It is strongly recommended that guests carpool and arrive early due to the limited number of parking spaces available. Please see the enclosed map outlining available parking on graduation day.

Undergraduate students pay a graduation fee of $100, and graduate students pay a graduation fee of $125 to cover the entire cost of graduation processing and Commencement, including diplomas, caps and gowns, and hoods for graduate students. All outstanding Lindenwood charges must be paid before diplomas are released. All graduating students must pay the graduation fee regardless of their participation in the ceremony.

Guests will need tickets to enter the Lynx Arena for the 2013 ceremony. (See No. 7 in the Graduation Dates & Deadlines 2013 document.) Each student will be issued up to four guest tickets to the Lynx Arena. A guest includes anyone age 2 and over. Additional guests can view the ceremony via a live video stream from the comfort of the Lindenwood Auditorium. Tickets are not required to enter the auditorium. Seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.

Students are encouraged to use our online regalia ordering option (no additional charge to the student).

Undergraduate students will receive caps, gowns, and tassels via U.S. mail to the address entered during the online ordering process. Graduate students will receive caps, gowns, tassels, and hoods via U.S. mail to the address entered during the online ordering process. Honors cords will be distributed to eligible undergraduate students at graduation check-in. Online orders must be placed by April 4. Please see No. 1 Option 1, on Graduation Dates and Deadlines 2013. For students who choose not to order online, they may use the regalia pick-up option. Please see Graduation Dates and Deadlines, No. 1, Option 2 for pick up dates and locations.

May diplomas will be available on July 1, 2013 (see item No. 10 on the Graduation Dates & Deadlines 2013 letter) in the Business Office.

Of all the reminders on the Graduation Dates and Deadlines enclosure, please give special attention to item No. 5. Students may order regalia prior to paying a balance on their student accounts. Students who have a balance on their student accounts have until 5 p.m., April 19, 2013, to pay in full. A follow-up statement will be sent no later than April 6, 2013. Students who have questions about the status of their Business Office accounts should request information immediately. The Business Office can be reached at (618) 239-6146 or (618) 239-6256. Students who have received student loans are reminded that they must complete an exit interview by Friday, April 5, 2013, by visiting the financial aid exit interview link at http://www.lindenwood.edu/financialAid/exitStafford.html.

Lindenwood University-Belleville contracts with GradImages® to photograph each graduate at the Commencement. Photos are taken of the graduates 1) as they receive their diploma, 2) in front of a Lindenwood banner, and 3) in a close-up photograph. Graduates can pre-register their email, and GradImages will contact them when their photos are available for online viewing and ordering. While there is no obligation to make a purchase, proofs will be emailed and mailed to each student’s address. Up to six (6) family members’ contact information may be added to help share the good news and the photos by going to the GradImages site at http://www.gradimages.com/index.cfm?action=main.preregistration. Lindenwood University has no affiliation with the photographer; inquiries should be directed to:

GradImages® Customer Service Department
3490 Martin Hurst Road
Tallahassee, FL 32312
1-800-261-2576
http://www.gradimages.com/

Commencement will be recorded by the Lindenwood University-Belleville Communications Department and posted on the Lindenwood University-Belleville website for live viewing.

Students are urged to complete the Request for Diploma form and return it in the enclosed postage paid envelope. Diplomas will be mailed only to those students who have completed the Request for Diploma form and will be mailed as soon as they become available. Students should complete and return the Name Pronunciation form only if they believe their names may be pronounced incorrectly. You do not need to return the Name Pronunciation form to participate, ONLY return it if you feel your name might be pronounced incorrectly.

Once again, congratulations! As we mark yet another memorable event together, we share your excitement as we participate in the inaugural Commencement ceremony at the Lindenwood University-Belleville campus, and celebrate each of you as you become one of Lindenwood University-Belleville’s newest alumni.

With warm regards,
Dr. Angela Wingo, PhD
Dean of Students