Graduation

Yes. The graduation fee is not used to pay for commencement ceremony expenses; rather, it covers staffing and diploma costs, as well as the cost of processing, printing and mailing the graduate’s diploma. This fee is charged to all graduates, whether they choose to attend a ceremony or not, and so it remains in place for all graduates.

We encourage all spring, summer and fall 2020 graduates to engage and participate in their virtual commencement ceremony on Dec. 14, 2020. We will continue to monitor the CDC and government guidelines and will update the Graduation website as plans for the spring 2021 ceremony are finalized. If an in-person ceremony can safely be held in spring 2021, spring, summer and fall 2020 graduates will be invited to participate.

A virtual commencement is an online celebration with traditional ceremony elements such as messages from our administration, speakers, degree conferral and an announcement of graduate names.

A graduate slide will be created for each graduate with their full legal name, degree and academic honors (if applicable).

Graduates will receive an email in their Embry-Riddle email account in early November with an individual link to a secure external registration system where they can upload a photograph and provide additional name pronunciation information.

Details regarding the submission requirements will be outlined in the email. Embry-Riddle reserves the right to omit photos that are deemed inappropriate. The deadline to submit your name pronunciation is November 17. The deadline to upload a photograph is November 23.

• Schedule a virtual commencement watch party with family and friends or share the virtual commencement website link asking them to join you online for the event.   
• Participate in time-honored commencement traditions, such as standing upon hearing your name and degree conferral and singing of the Alma Mater.
• Customize your virtual commencement graduate slide with a photo. An email will be sent to your university email address with instructions on how to submit your photo.
• Purchase regalia (optional) to wear during your virtual commencement celebration and for photo opportunities.

Yes, Herff Jones has a variety of packages available for graduates as well as announcements. We encourage graduates to order regalia and keepsakes to wear during the virtual ceremony. The deadline to order regalia is Nov. 13, 2020. Please allow three to four weeks for delivery to the address you provide.

To place a cap and gown order after November 13, or to order individual items such as a tassel or hood, please contact the University Bookstore. An online order form must be completed and emailed to 1787mgr@follett.com. Graduates will be notified via email that their order has been confirmed and to contact the bookstore at 386-226-6063 at their earliest convenience to provide payment.  

Individual item pricing:

• Tassel: $9.60
• Hood: $35.25

Every undergraduate candidate eligible for graduation with honors will receive honor cords by mail. To confirm your honors status, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Digital programs will be posted to the Commencement website a few days prior to Dec. 14. Programs will be downloadable for sharing purposes. Printed copies can be requested after the ceremony by contacting April Atkinson at atkinsa5@erau.edu.