Convocation Ceremony

Upcoming Convocation dates:

College of Nursing Summer 2013 Convocation: Friday, July 26, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the USA Mitchell Center.

The dates for Convocation Ceremonies for the 2013-2014 academic year will be announced as soon as possible.

Important Note: All students planning to participate in the College of Nursing Convocation Ceremony must complete a "Convocation Participant Information" form, which is posted below. This document is a fillable PDF form and should be completed electronically and e-mailed to: nuconvocation@southalabama.edu.

Please submit the form as a regular PDF attachment and do not send it as an Echosign document.

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat and only have Adobe Reader, you may not be able to save typed information in the form. (Please be sure you do not submit a blank form.) If you are unable to save the completed form, you may handwrite

it (please print neatly) and fax it to the CON at 251-445-9416 or mail it to the

address listed below.

Convocation Participant Information Form

Convocation FAQs:

What is convocation? Convocation is a ceremony held in recognition of the accomplishments of our nursing graduates. It is an opportunity for nursing graduates to celebrate their success with friends, family, and College of Nursing faculty and staff.

How does convocation differ from commencement? Convocation is an acknowledgement ceremony that is exclusive to nursing graduates. Convocation is held each semester (fall, spring, and summer) on a Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the USA Mitchell Center. The fall and spring convocation ceremonies are always held on the Friday before the University Commencement Ceremony.

Commencement is the University-wide graduation ceremony. Commencement is held twice a year in fall and spring on a Saturday at the USA Mitchell Center. For more information regarding commencement, please visit this website.

Where is the Mitchell Center located? For detailed directions to the Mitchell Center, please visit this website.

How long is the convocation ceremony? The length of the ceremony varies based upon the number of participants. Generally, convocation lasts up to one and a half hours.

Will there be a pinning ceremony? During Convocation, nursing graduates are presented with lamps which symbolize the lamp of Florence Nightingale. The USA College of Nursing no longer holds a pinning ceremony.

Is there a dress code for convocation? Yes. Participants should wear traditional business attire or business casual under the academic regalia (cap and gown). Please leave purses and other items with your escort(s) or guests. College of Nursing faculty and staff cannot be responsible for students’ personal belongings.

How many escorts are allowed? Convocation participants may invite up to two family members, friends, etc. to escort them across the Mitchell Center stage.

Are invitations required? The College of Nursing does not issue formal invitations for Convocation. Students may contact the USA Bookstore if interested in ordering Convocation announcements. Convocation participants are welcome to invite as many guests as they wish; however, the College of Nursing respectfully requests escorts be limited to two.

Will professional photos be taken at convocation? The Convocation Ceremony will be filmed and DVDs will be available for purchase for $12.00. A representative from the Mitchell Center will be available to take DVD orders the day of Convocation. Professional still photographs will not be taken at Convocation.

When and where will I pick up my cap and gown? Students who order regalia on time will be able to pick it up at the Student Center atrium in front of the USA Bookstore from Tuesday, May 7 through Thursday, May 9 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or at Convocation in the Robing Room #1101 at the Mitchell Center. Whoever picks up the package will have to provide I.D. and sign for the cap and gown. This will also be required for returns the day of the event. The USA Bookstore will have representatives on hand at Convocation to assist with pick up, robing, and return processing.

Do you have any hotel recommendations for out of town guests? Please visit this website for a listing of hotels near the main campus of USA.

Location/Contact Information