Winter Commencement 2023

LIVE STREAM

 


 

10am, Friday, December 15 
Felton J. Capel Arena, Fayetteville State University

Tickets are not required

WINTER COMMENCEMENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

REGISTRAR

Q: How much is the Graduation Fee? 

A: The Graduation Fee at FSU is $75.00. 

 

Q: Is the regalia included in the graduation fee? 

A: No, Regalia is to be purchased separately. Items can be purchased by contacting the Bronco Spirit Shop at (910) 672-1342 

 

Q: Is my degree conferred at graduation? 

A: No, participation in the commencement ceremony does not mean each student has satisfied all course requirements, due to final grades not being due until after the ceremony. 

 

Q: How am I eligible to graduate with honors? 

A: To be eligible to graduate with honors, baccalaureate students must have completed a minimum of 45 earned credit hours at Fayetteville State University. 

 

Q: What are the GPA requirements to graduate with honors?

A:

  • Summa Cum Laude: to those having a scholastic average of 3.800 - 4.000
  • Magna Cum Laude: to those having a scholastic average of 3.500 - 3.799
  • Cum Laude: to those having a scholastic average of 3.200 - 3.499

 

Q: Is my anticipated GPA considered with graduating with honors?  

A: For the commencement ceremony, honor students are recognized for their current GPA for earned hours at the end of the first eight weeks recently completed. Students that have reached honor distinction following that, will be recognized on their transcript and degree. 

 

Q: What time and date will rehearsal be held? 

A: Rehearsal will occur on December 14, 2023, at 2:00pm in the Felton J. Capel Arena. 

 

Q: What is the attire for rehearsal?  

A: The attire for rehearsal is casual. Dark bottoms and a white top are recommended.

 

Q: What is the time and location for commencement? 

A: The commencement ceremony will be held on December 15, 2023, at 10:00am in the Felton J. Capel Arena.  

 

Q: What time do graduates have to be at commencement?  

A: Graduates are to arrive at 8:30am to line up. 

 

Q: When will I receive my honors medallion and/or lineup card?  

A: Line up cards and Honor’s Regalia will be provided to students at rehearsal on December 14, 2023. 

 

Q: Is rehearsal mandatory?  

A: Yes, rehearsal is mandatory, however if you are unable to attend you can retrieve your graduation items the morning of the ceremony. 

 

 Q: Are there cords for other things such as military veteran, first generation etc.? and are they covered?

A: For questions about cords from departments, contact that respective department.

 

Q: How long does it typically take to receive our final transcripts after the semester ends assuming we have completed all requirements and have no holds?

A: 4-6 weeks

 

Q: For distance learners who are unable to make commencement, how will they receive their honors medallions?

A: They will be mailed by request. Please contact the Registrar's office for this request.

 

Q: How long is commencement estimated to be?

A: Commencement is estimated to be 3 hours.

 

Q: Will commencement occur inside or outside?

A: Commencement will take place inside of the Felton J. Capel Arena.

 

Q: It was mentioned that we will receive our diploma after graduation. Will we have something to walk with?

A: Yes, you will be provided with your diploma cover as you walk across the stage for the ceremony.

 

Q: Are we allowed to decorate our caps?

A: Yes, decoration of caps is permitted.

 

Q: What is the dress code for graduation?

A: Dress code recommendations for graduation are dark pants, dress, skirt, and light top.

Q: Is there a limit on cords? military, first generation, Latin honors, etc?

A: No, there is not a limit to the number of cords a student can wear for graduation.

Q: Who do we need to contact to make sure they call us by our correct name?

A: graduation@uncfsu.edu

 


 

STUDENT ACCOUNTS

 

Q: Will a hold on my account prevent me from graduation?

A: You will be able to participate in the ceremony however, a hold will stop you from getting your diploma and your transcripts.

 


 

FINANCIAL AID

 

Q: How long is the grace period until loan repayment?

A: Grace period is normally six months.

 

Q: Where do we go to complete the exit counseling?

A: Exit counseling can be completed at studentaid.gov/exit-counseling

 

Q: For the financial aid counseling, if we did not use FAFSA to pay for college do we still need to do the counseling?

A: Exit counseling is only required for students that were loan borrowers.

 


 

TESTING

 

Q: Where can I find the graduation assessment test link?

A: Graduating Senior Assessment Registration

 

Q: When is the senior assessment due?

A: The Graduating Senior Assessment is due on December 10, 2023

 

Q: Can I graduate if I haven't taken the assessment?

A: Yes, you will be able to participate in the ceremony, but failure to complete the assessment could result in a delay receiving final transcripts.

 

Q: How long is the GSA?

A: The assessment should only take students 40 minutes.

 

Q: Is the test in person?

A: No, the test is offered in a virtual format.

 

Q: What does the assessment consist of?

A: The assessment consists of questions in the subject areas of math, reading, writing, and critical thinking?

 

Q: Will I be graded for this assessment?

A: The assessment is not pass or fail, but we encourage you to do your best.

 


 

ALUMNI AFFAIRS

Q: Can you recommend the nearest hotel for graduates that are coming from out of town?

A: Fairfield Inn & Suites 910-223-7867, ask for the FSU Rate.

 


 

For more information contact:

Department Email Phone
Office of the Registrar graduation@uncfsu.edu 910-672-2725
Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid finaid@uncfsu.edu 910-672-1325
Office of Student Accounts StudentAccountsReceivable@uncfsu.edu 910-672-1155
Learning & Testing Center testing@uncfsu.edu 910-672-1301
Office of Alumni Affairs CHarper8@uncfsu.edu 910-672-2279
Bronco One Stop onestop@uncfsu.edu 910-672-2725
Bronco One Stop Advising Center advising@uncfsu.edu 910-672-2717

 

 

 


 

REHEARSAL

2pm, Thursday, December 14, 2023
Felton J. Capel Arena, Fayetteville State University

Graduation Information

October 30th was the deadline for graduates to be recognized in the printed program. November 30th was the deadline to participate in the ceremony.

 


 

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Dr. Robert P Taylor

Robert P. Taylor, Ed.D.

Wake County Public School System Superintendent

 
Dr. Robert P. Taylor Bio

Dr. Robert P. Taylor is a native of Laurel Mississippi and has resided in North Carolina since 1992.  He is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a BS degree in History and Political Science.  He is also a graduate of Fayetteville State University where he received a Masters of School Administration and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Taylor has nearly 3 decades of experience working public education in Mississippi and North Carolina. His educational career includes serving in schools as a teacher's assistant, classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal.  Dr. Taylor’s district level experience includes serving as Assistant Superintendent, and he served as the Superintendent of Bladen County Schools from 2011 to 2021, providing innovative leadership in digital teaching and learning, district turnaround, and student support for a rural school district.  Dr. Taylor’s state level experience includes serving as a Deputy State Superintendent for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and State Superintendent for the Mississippi Department of Education.  Dr.Taylor now serves as the Superintendent for the Wake County Public School System, the largest school district in North Carolina and 15th largest in the Nation.

In addition to serving as an educator, Dr. Taylor also served on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Dean of the School of Education at Fayetteville State University and The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.  In 2014 the North Carolina State Board of Education appointed Dr. Taylor to the North Carolina Assessment Task Force, where he served as one of two school superintendents in the state tasked with drafting new legislation for student assessment in public schools.  He has also been asked to address the State Board of Education on various educational issues affecting education in North Carolina.  Dr. Taylor has served on the State Board of Education Whole Community, School, Child Advisory Council, the North Carolina Virtual Public School Advisory Council (Chair), and the Western Governors University of North Carolina Advisory Board. In 2018 he served on the NC Governor’s Superintendent Advisory Council.  Dr. Taylor has also worked with various educational and non-educational organizations as a keynote speaker and lecturer, with recent presentations on school nutrition and digital learning standards.  He has also spoken on issues concerning school consolidation to the Association for Learning Environments, as well as presentations on STEM education.  Dr. Taylor served as the president of the Sandhills RESA in 2016-17 and 2020-21, which is the regional association of school superintendents in the Sandhills Region of North Carolina.  He was selected as the 2017 Sandhills RESA Superintendent of the Year.  Dr. Taylor also served on the North Carolina Superintendents Association Executive Board.  In November 2017 Dr. Taylor received the prestigious Friday Medal for Educational Innovation from North Carolina State University’s Friday Institute. Dr. Taylor was also selected as the NCAAHPERD Superintendent of the Year in November 2018 for his work in school nutrition, health, and physical education.  Dr. Taylor was also tasked by former  Chancellor James A. Anderson to deliver the graduate commencement speech for Fayetteville State University in May of 2018.  He also received the Friends of Nutrition Award by the North Carolina Child Nutrition Association in October 2018, having been the first superintendent to receive their highest award.    He was also selected as a Governor’s Appointee to serve on the NCCAT Advisory Board.  Dr. Taylor is now being sought for his expertise in rural and digital education, and school nutrition with national speaking engagements in Chicago, Austin, Louisville, and Columbus.

Dr. Taylor is one of five co-authors of an article entitled “College Social Experiences between First-Generation Students and Other Students Enrolled in a STEM Discipline at a Historically Black College and University”.  This article was published in the Spring 2013 volume of The Journal of College Orientation and Transition.

He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.

Dr. Taylor has been married for over 30 years to Col. Vivian L. Taylor, US Army Ret.

They have three children:

  • Jalyn age 28 (VCU Graduate,Texas State Police Officer, US Army Soldier)

  • Mia age 23 (Western Carolina University Graduate, Natural Resources Management)

  • Miles age 20 (Junior at Fayetteville State University)

 


 

ADA Accommodations

Undergraduate and graduate students who have personal accommodation needs must contact the Counseling and Personal Development Center at disabilityservices@uncfsu.edu no later than December 12 to make arrangements.