Commencement 졸업식

All times below are in Central Standard Time.

Friday, May 16, 2025
Friday events are for graduates and alumni only. All graduates and alumni may invite three guests due to space limitations.

5:00pm – Rehearsal and Pick-Up Regalia | Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, 2310 E. Linwood Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64109

6:30pm – Blessing of the Graduates & Alumni Reception for Graduates | Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, 2310 E. Linwood Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64109

Saturday, May 17, 2025
Graduates may invite guests to Saturday commencement ceremony.

8:00-8:15am – Graduates and faculty arrive at commencement location | Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, 2310 E. Linwood Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64109

8:30am – Group photographs with graduates and faculty by program (Photos will be available for free download here in the days following commencement).

9:30am – Guests may arrive and be seated in the sanctuary

10:00am – Ceremony | Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, 2310 E. Linwood Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64109

OR

Guests can watch Commencement live on Central’s YouTube channel 

NOTES FOR ALL GRADUATES:

• To participate in the commencement ceremony, you must complete the Application to Graduate Form with the Registrar, Hana You by January 31, 2025.
• All degree and diploma graduates must wear your academic regalia to participate in the commencement ceremony. Students must complete the Commencement Attendance Form and Regalia Order Form sent to you by Registrar Hana You by February 15, 2025.
• There will not be any secure storage for personal items, phones, etc. Please do not bring anything you cannot carry with you or give to your guests to hold.
• All students regardless of program or credit status are invited to the Blessing of the Graduates ceremony the evening prior to commencement.
• All students regardless of program or credit status are asked to arrive at 8:00 a.m. to participate in group photographs prior to commencement.
• Virtual livestream viewing available at Central’s You Tube page.

NOTES FOR CERTIFICATE GRADUATES:

• Professional Certificate graduates (non-credit students)
  • Invited to participate in the Blessing of the Graduates and Commencement.
  • Invited to the group graduate photo session prior to Commencement.
  • Will be seated in a reserved section and will be recognized and presented with their certificate during commencement.
  • Does not wear regalia or process in and out of the sanctuary.
  • Pays Application to Graduate fee, but not an academic regalia rental fee.

   

  Graduate Certificate graduates (for-credit students)

  • Invited to participate in Blessing of the Graduates and Commencement.
  • Invited to the group graduate photo session prior to Commencement.
  • Wear regalia and processes in and out of the sanctuary.
  • Receives certificate during the ceremony on stage.
  • Pays Application to Graduate fee and academic regalia rental fee.

To attend Commencement, you must register in advance. All graduates* must wear your academic regalia to participate in the commencement ceremony. 

Students must complete the Commencement Attendance Form and Regalia Order Form sent to you by Registrar Hana You by February 15, 2025.

* Graduate Certificate graduates (for credit) students are eligible to participate in commencement by wearing regalia, processing in and out of the sanctuary and walking across stage. Professional Certificate graduates (non-credit) will not wear academic regalia and will not be eligible to participate in commencement by wearing regalia, processing in and out of the sanctuary and walking across stage. If attending, they will however be recognized from stage during the ceremony.

Central’s 2025 commencement speaker is Rev. Jim Cook, chair of the Board of Directors, Central Seminary.

More information coming soon!

NOTES FOR ALL GRADUATES:

• Students must complete the Commencement Attendance Form and Regalia Order Form sent to you by Registrar Hana You by February 15, 2025.
• All degree and diploma graduates must wear your academic regalia to participate in the commencement ceremony. Students must complete the Regalia Order Form by February 15, 2025. 
• There will not be any secure storage for personal items, phones, etc. Please do not bring anything you cannot carry with you or give to your guests to hold.
• All students regardless of program or credit status are invited to the Blessing of the Graduates ceremony the evening prior to commencement.
• All students regardless of program or credit status are asked to arrive at 8:00 a.m. to participate in group photographs prior to commencement.
• Virtual livestream viewing available at Central’s You Tube page.

NOTES FOR CERTIFICATE GRADUATES: 

• Professional Certificate graduates (non-credit students)
  • Invited to participate in the Blessing of the Graduates and Commencement.
  • Invited to the group graduate photo session prior to Commencement.
  • Will be seated in a reserved section and will be recognized and presented with their certificate during commencement.
  • Does not wear regalia or process in and out of the sanctuary.
  • Pays Application to Graduate fee, but not an academic regalia rental fee.

   

  Graduate Certificate graduates (for-credit students)

  • Invited to participate in Blessing of the Graduates and Commencement.
  • Invited to the group graduate photo session prior to Commencement.
  • Wear regalia and processes in and out of the sanctuary.
  • Receives certificate during the ceremony on stage.
  • Pays Application to Graduate fee and academic regalia rental fee.

You can livestream the event at Central’s YouTube page here.

All photographs (groups and shots taken during the ceremony) are available for FREE download in the days following commencement. PHOTOS ARE HERE.