Graduation Ceremony – 2024
American National University Global Graduation Center
After years of dedication and hard work, you are about to graduate – let us be the first to congratulate you on your momentous achievement! Below is a list of steps you must complete to qualify for graduation and to receive your cap, gown, regalia, and degree for the online ceremony. Please read carefully and complete all actions necessary. We look forward to seeing you at graduation and congratulations yet again. We cannot wait to see all the good you will achieve in the next phase of your life!
General Global Ceremony Information
Graduation
You’ve come a long way and graduation is just around the corner. Whether or not you choose to attend the commencement ceremony, you will need to apply for graduation. Let us walk you through the process.
When to Apply for Graduation
All degree candidates are urged to apply for graduation once they enter their final term. Eligibility is based on program completion percentage, earned hours within the program, and institutional grade point average (GPA). These eligibility requirements vary based on each program. Students who are deemed eligible to apply will receive an email requesting that they apply by completing Career Services & Financial Graduate Exits.
Upcoming Graduation Ceremony Dates
Below is a list of upcoming ceremonies and general information regarding American National University Virtual Annual Graduation.
American National University & University of Fairfax Global Graduation will be on June 21, 2025.
The 2025 ceremony will include graduates who meet all academic requirements during the period between:
June 26, 2024 to April 30, 2025
You are Graduating - Here’s what to do next
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
Review your remaining credits and expected graduation date on your degree plan, which can be found in your student portal. Your course requirements must be completed before the date of the ceremony.
Step 2: Complete your assigned Career Services Tasks:
Task 1: The Career Services team is available to coach you through the career preparation process, answering career-related questions, providing personalized feedback, connecting you to ideal resources and opportunities, and helping you stay focused on your ultimate career goal. Complete your Graduate Exit and tell us what services you are seeking.
Task 2: The University is especially interested in the success of our graduates and the employment opportunities each of them achieves. Further, we are very interested in how well the academic programs have prepared you. We are asking you to complete a Graduate Satisfaction Survey to provide us with this essential information about your program you completed. You will receive the Survey via your student email and reminders will be posted on Canvas.
Task 3: As a student or alum, you also have access to the job posting portal. To visit the site, open your preferred web browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc.) on your computer or mobile device.
- In the address bar, type in the following URL: https://americannationaluniversity2.my.site.com/Applicant/s/ Alternatively, you can click on the link provided here: https://americannationaluniversity2.my.site.com/Applicant/s/
- Login Credentials: Once you’ve reached the website, you will be prompted to enter your login credentials. Click on ANU Student SSO. You will be prompted to enter your student email and password.
Task 4: Order your graduation regalia once you meet all academic requirements and obtain a graduate status. Your regalia cost is included in your tuition. You will need the following information when you place your order.
- GPA – You are graduating with honors if your GPA is between 3.50 to 3.74 and high honors if your GPA is 3.75 to 4.0.
- Honors graduates receive one gold cord
- High Honors graduates receive two gold cords
- Military – Red, White & Blue Graduation cords are used to show patriotism and to honor the students who enlisted and served in the Armed Forces of the United States.
** Orders cannot be placed prior to the end of your graduating Term**
Order Regalia
Students must register to attend the ceremony 30 days prior to the graduation ceremony date by completing the Career Services Graduate Exit / Registration Form.
Regalia:
Caps and gowns are available through Oak Hall Cap & Gown. Orders can be placed once all academic requirements have been met and your status has been updated to graduate.
Orders may take up to three weeks to process. When you place your order, you will receive an email confirmation confirming it has been accepted.
Honor Cords:
Scholastic recognition at graduation will be given to each undergraduate student who maintained a high grade point average. The specific award is based on the enrollment institutional GPA that the student earned throughout their matriculation at American National University. The following represent recognized honors for Associate’s an d Bachelor’s degree candidates: with Honors (3.50 – 3.74 GPA), and with High Honors (3.75 or higher)
Military Cords:
Red White & Blue Graduation cords are used to show patriotism, and to honor the students enlisted and served in the Armed Forces of the Unites States.
Order regalia here.
Order Regalia by clicking on your University link:
Global Virtual Graduation Ceremony Guide
What is a Virtual Commencement? An online ceremony will feature formal remarks, student speeches and sharable digital slides honoring each graduate.
Guests attending the Global Virtual Graduation
Graduates are responsible for providing all guests with the link to access the live event. 24 hours following the ceremony, graduates will have access to view it on Facebook, YouTube, and the University website.
How do I join in on the virtual ceremony?
The graduation ceremony will stream live on the following social media platforms:
What if I do not want to participate in the virtual ceremony?
Graduation candidates are not required to participate in the virtual ceremony, but we do encourage you to.
Graduation Ceremony Expenses
American National University is an all-inclusive tuition University. If you are not able to participate in the graduation ceremony, we regret adjustments are not issued.
Suggestions on How to Celebrate Graduation Virtually
THROW A VITURAL CELEBRATION ON ZOOOM WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Graduating from college, or graduate school can be one of life’s most memorable and rewarding milestones. That’s why virtual graduation celebrations are so important right now. Whether it’s your first degree or your third, graduating represents the culmination and recognition of all the hard work you’ve put into studying, taking tests, and studying some more. It’s an important tradition that most of us love to share with our closest friends or family, whether we’re able to celebrate in the same place or not.
Whether you’re throwing a celebration for a recent graduate in your family or you’re the graduate and are hoping to throw your own sort of celebration, there are a handful of ways to get creative and celebrate virtually. The best part: You don’t have to wear (or spend money on) that uncomfortable cap and gown if you don’t want to. Celebrating a major life milestone in the comfort of your pajamas? Now, that doesn’t sound too bad, does it?
Transform Your Home into a Party Spot
1. Create a theme background
Whether the graduate is having a Zoom celebration or not, you can choose a custom theme that will provide the graduate with all the decorations and supplies needed to celebrate this milestone.
2. Have A FaceTime Dinner Party
If you love a good dinner party, consider using a service which sends dinner party kits (fancy plates and flatware included) right to your door. If there’s one other family or household you really want to celebrate with, send them a fancy kit and then set up a Zoom or FaceTime call to toast and eat together during dinner. It’ll feel (almost) like a fancy dinner out to celebrate the party guest of honor’s graduation.
3. Invite A Special Guest To A FaceTime OR Video Chat
In a world where there aren’t many day-to-day surprises or changes in routine, why not surprise your graduate with something that’s a little outside the box — like a flamingo, goat, or monkey making a special appearance on a call to celebrate their graduation?
ORGANIZE A DRIVE BY PARADE
Looking for a graduation party idea that doesn’t involve a screen? Hop in the car and go for a ride. Reach out to the parents of nearby friends with a date and time to take to the porch (stoops, windows and front lawns all work, too) for a drive-by pop-up party. Encourage families to string up some decorations outside their homes and share lots of cheer when you roll by. Or if you need to stay home, ask friends and loved ones to put on a graduation parade graduation parade. The idea is similar to the drive-by celebration except this time, the guest of honor stays put while friends and loved ones roll up in their cars, pausing to shout congratulations from a safe distance. Who says no-contact means no fun?
TAKE PHOTES ON YOUR LAWN
To commemorate the big day, photos are a must. Even if you’re not going to an “official” ceremony, dress up and have a photoshoot in your cap and gown outside your home.
Not only will it serve as a fun thing to do on graduation day, but it will also be something the graduate can look back on to remember this milestone forever.
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Academic Honors
Associate’s and Bachelor’s-level graduates who complete their degrees with enrollment grade point averages (GPAs) of 3.50 or higher will receive academic honor status.
- Certificate, Master’s-level and Doctoral graduates are not eligible for academic honors.
Honor cords are part of the academic regalia; however, they will only be made available when ordering for those who meet the enrollment GPA requirements below.
The academic honors statuses are as follows:
- Enrollment GPA 3.75 or Higher (High Honors)……2 Gold Cords
- Enrollment GPA of 3.50 – 3.74 (Honors)……1 Gold Cord
Verification of Academic Honors
Eligibility for academic honors is verified by the Office of Student Services. For questions regarding your GPA and academic honor eligibility, please contact the Office of Student Services.
Graduate Achievement and Recognition Awards
Nominations for graduate achievement and recognition are accepted throughout the academic year. All nominations must be received 45 days prior to graduation.
Achievement Award
The National Achievement Award is presented to graduates who, through extraordinary effort, overcame obstacles to achieve success in their studies and reach their academic goals. This award honors a diploma or degree graduate whose successful academic work merits recognition.
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award is presented to a graduate who, above all else, has exhibited excellent leadership, organizational, and motivational abilities, and who personifies the highest level of leadership among the graduates. This award may also be presented to the outstanding graduate who has maintained a 3.0 or higher GPA throughout matriculation.
E. M. Coulter Award
This award is presented in honor of E. M. Coulter, who served as President of National College (A predecessor of American National University) from 1901-1946 and as President Emeritus from 1946-1956. Starting as an Instructor in 1896, President Coulter’s association with the College is considered to be the longest Association of any individual with any College in the United States.
This award is also presented for high academic achievement to graduates of Nursing, Health Information Management, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical Technology, and Phlebotomy programs.
Joseph E. Hurn Award
Presented in honor of Joseph E. Hurn, who served as President of National College (a predecessor of American National University) from 1962-1984. The award is also presented for high academic achievement to graduates of Accounting, Business Administration, Business Administration – Accounting, and Business Administration – Management.
M. A. Smythe Award
The award is presented in honor of M. A. Smythe, who served as Vice President of National College (a predecessor of American National University) from 1918-1946 and as President from 1946-1951. The award is presented for high academic achievement to graduates of Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Network Administration, and Network Support programs.
Dorothy Coulter Hancock Award
The award is presented in honor of Dorothy Coulter Hancock, who served National College (a predecessor of American National University) for more than 20 years as instructor, faculty advisor, Vice President, and a member of the Board of Advisors. Presented for high academic achievement in a bachelor’s degree program in Accounting, Management, Medical and Health Services Management, and Master of Business Administration programs.
Mary P. McGurn Award
The award is presented in honor of Mary P. McGurn, who served as an Instructor and Department Chairperson at National College from 1901-1951. The award is presented for high academic achievement to graduates of Paralegal, Paralegal Studies, and Medical Office Professional programs.
Alumni Hall of Achievement Award
Founded in 1987, this award honors those who have excelled in their careers and in their service to the community since their graduation. Induction into the Alumni Hall of Achievement is the most distinguished award bestowed upon alumni.
Order Custom Diploma Frames and Announcements
We believe that earning a degree is a huge accomplishment; therefore, American National University & University of Fairfax have partnered with Jostens to provide graduates access to customized Diploma Frames and Announcement Cards. Jostens offers a variety of payment pay in full and payment plan options.
To access the Jostens ordering site, select your Universities corresponding link below:
Customized Frames
Graduates can click on the diploma frame picture to access the grad pix diploma catalog options. This allows graduates to choose their own customized frame style. Note you will need the diploma sizes when placing your order. ANU diploma size is 8.5 x 11 and the UOF diploma size is 11 x 14.
Graduation Announcements
Celebrate tradition and recognize your achievement with custom graduation announcements. Only Jostens includes your official school colors and symbols.
Graduates can click on the announcements card picture, to access the grad pix photo cards options. This allows graduates to choose their own card style, add their own pictures, and text. They can announce to the world when they are graduating, having an open house, or just to celebrate.
Student Services Advisors post degrees after all ANU/UOF course grades have been posted and all transcripts have been received from other institutions.
Diplomas are generally ordered at the end of the Term Break. Allow 45 days for processing and distribution of paper diplomas. You will not be able to order a diploma reprint until your initial order has been issued.
Request a Name Change on a Diploma:
Petition Student Services via email: studentservices@an.edu to request a name change on your diploma. Include in your communication one of the following supporting document to verify that your name has legally changed; a divorce decree, marriage certificate, court issued documents, social security card, passport and state identification cards or driver’s license.
Tourist Visa: B-2 Sample Letter
Please contact your DSO/International Student Advisor if you have any questions or need further assistance. If your last name (surname) begins with A-L, please contact Noelia Guzman Cebrian at nguzmancebrian@an.edu. If your last name (surname) begins with M-Z, please contact Darlene Peceimer Nguyen at dpeceimernguyen@an.edu.
Reorder Diploma
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. If I am attending the Global Graduation, where do I get the link?
A. It will be posted on this site and you will receive an email with the link from Career Services.
Diplomas:
Q. If I do not attend graduation, how will I get my diploma?
A. Diplomas are mailed to all graduates to the address the University has on file. You should expect your diploma approximately two to three weeks after your degree is completed and posted. You will receive an email once your diploma is mailed.
Q. How do I obtain my transcript?
A. The University has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide enrollment and degree verifications. Students may also order an official copy of their transcript to verify a degree.
Graduation Regalia:
Q. How do I obtain graduation regalia?
A. Caps and gowns are available through Oak Hall Cap & Gown. Orders will open for each term after the Drop/Add day.
Q. When will I receive my cap and gown?
A. Orders take up to four weeks to process, so be sure to order by the deadline posted on the Global Graduation Info page.
Q. How do I order an academic honor cord?
A. Academic honors are based on GPA. If you earned academic honors, the appropriate cords will be made available when ordering regalia.
Q. Where can I purchase a graduation video?
A. 24 hours following the ceremony, graduates will have access to view on Facebook, YouTube and the University web site.
Life After Graduation
Submit a Graduate Success Story to be profiled on the University web site and social media. Email communications@an.edu for additional information.
Graduation Contact Information
For additional information regarding graduation, email Career Services.
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