The entire graduation ceremony is a formal event honoring your accomplishments. Please respect yourself and other graduates by maintaining a quiet and reverent attitude throughout the graduation process.

1. Pick up your cap and gown before Thursday, July 25, 2008, at the campus indicated on your application. Hang it up so the wrinkles will fall out.  Be sure to bring all parts with you to the ceremony – cap, gown, tassel, velvet stole and any approved honor society stoles you may have acquired.

Note: Only official Hinds Community College graduation attire shall be worn. Official graduation attire is that attire sanctioned by the college to be worn during graduation commencement exercises. Attire from national honor organizations such as Phi Theta Kappa is an example of approved attire.

2. Your graduation cap should be worn flat on the top of your head with the tassel placed to the right – front side of the cap until your degree is conferred. 

3. There is no rehearsal for the commencement exercises so, unless otherwise specified, you must report to the lobby of Cain-Cochran Hall at least thirty minutes prior to your assigned commencement exercise.  You must be on time or you will not be allowed to march in the commencement.

4. Graduates requiring special assistance should report to the entrance of Cain-Cochran facing Main Street.

5. Purses, cell phones, and other personal belongings should be left with family members or guests. You will not be allowed to take these items into the ceremony.  

6. To prevent crowded hallways, please do not have family or friends accompany you to the graduate check-in and assembly area. Instead, they should go directly to the auditorium and acquire a seat.

7. You should report in proper attire, which includes dress clothes and dress shoes. Please do not wear corsages.

8. Men, you should remove your graduation caps for the invocation and benediction.

9. When you walk across the stage, you will hand a card to a reader announcing your name. A vice-president will be presenting students with a 3.2 or higher GPA with an honor cord. Another vice-president will hand you a diploma cover, shake your hand and say “Congratulations.” Please look at the vice-president, say “Thank You,” and continue around the stage to your row and wait for the signal to be seated.

10. You and your guests are encouraged to agree upon a meeting place outside of the building after the ceremony for family pictures and fellowship (weather permitting). The lobby area will be very crowded.

11. There will be a photographer available in Room 137 before and after the ceremony for formal cap and gown pictures. The photographer will also be taking pictures of you as you receive your diploma covers on stage during the ceremony. You will receive proofs of these photos in the mail several weeks after graduation for possible purchase at that time. This photographer is not affiliated with Hinds Community College.

12. After taking pictures with family and/or the graduation photographer, please turn in your cap and gown in Room 160 where you checked in.  You will receive your diploma at that time.  If there is an error in spelling or degree, please return to Room 160 so that we may reprint your diploma after making the correction.

13. Hinds Community College is proud to announce that we will broadcast our Summer 2008 commencement exercises via a live Webcast.  High speed internet access is required for viewing. Click for instructions for viewing the Webcast. Please share this information with family and friends who may be unable to attend the ceremony.  Hinds Community College is proud of your accomplishments, and we take great joy in sharing this celebration with as many virtual guests as possible.