Graduates fill the Quad.

Graduation

Graduation Ceremony Postponed

As USC Upstate continues to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on university campuses across the country, and in consultation with public health experts, it has become necessary for us to postpone May Commencement ceremonies for 2020. We are working closely with the UofSC System leadership and are committed to exploring options for rescheduled, in-person ceremonies when it is safe to gather together to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2020. Students, please know this change will not impact your degree completion status if you are scheduled to graduate in May.

Parking and Directions

The ceremony will be held at the Quad on the USC Upstate Campus, located behind the John C. Stockwell Administration Building.

Ceremony Location

Parking Map

Grad Fair Online

Grad Fair Regalia image Order your graduation regalia, personal announcements and class ring.

Graduation Regalia

Personal Announcements

Class Rings

Graduation Photos

Order Graduation Photos at www.gradimages.com

Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576 or email giservice@gradimages.net

GENERAL GUIDELINES

May commencement is a time to celebrate your educational efforts; however, in keeping with the idea that this should be a dignified ceremony, we will conduct a formal graduation. Please adhere to the following guidelines.

a white dress shirt and ties, dark pants and dark shoes or
dress, skirt, or slacks and dress shoes. Dresses and skirts should be shorter than graduation gowns.
Tennis shoes and/or flip flops are not appropriate. Please choose footwear and heel heights appropriate for walking across the grass.
Caps should be worn so they sit level rather than on the back or to the side of the head.
In respect for each graduate and their families, we ask spectators and degree candidates remain seated.
Degree candidates and their guests should not participate in disruptive behavior until the last graduate walks across the stage. Noisemakers, beach balls, balloons and other items that could disrupt the ceremony will not be tolerated.

STUDENTS

We expect the convocation to last about 90 minutes.

There are no rehearsals prior to graduation.
Students should report dressed in academic regalia to the Hodge Arena on the USC Upstate Campus no later than 4:30 p.m. for the 6:00 p.m. ceremony.
If a degree candidate anticipates his/her name may be mispronounced, he/she may write the name phonetically on the top of the name card.
Students arriving late may risk not marching in the procession and will be placed at the end of the line, out of their degree order.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Professional photographers will photograph each degree candidate as he or she is greeted by the Chancellor. Complimentary photograph proofs will be sent to the permanent address of each degree candidate about 30 days after the ceremony. Additional photographs may be purchased upon receipt of the proof, but there is absolutely no obligation to purchase any photographs.

There will also be a professional photographer available to take still cap and gown photographs of the degree candidates on this special day. This photographer will be located in the Hodge Arena lobby. For more information, contact Grad Images at 1-800-261-2576 or at www.gradimages.com.

THE SENIOR LEGACY FUND

The Senior Legacy Fund was established as a way for graduates to leave their mark on campus for generations of Spartans to come. By contributing to the Senior Legacy Fund in the amount of your graduation year ($20.20), you can enhance the USC Upstate experience and help provide much-needed support for campus projects. As a symbol of your commitment to those who come after, the USC Upstate Alumni Association will provide an alumni medallion for all those who help their fellow Spartans move Up. together, which will be mailed to the address provided when you make your online gift.

Learn more about the Senior Legacy Fund and the alumni medallion.