Commencement Information for December 2022 and Spring/Summer 2023 Graduates
Commencement Ceremony
WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 2023 / 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
WHERE: Forest Hills Fine Arts Center 600 Forest Hills Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546
KCAD is proud to honor the graduating classes of December 2022 and Spring/Summer 2023
in a Commencement ceremony. This ceremony will also be live streamed on the KCAD website
and main Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.
General information and an overall outline of KCAD’s Commencement ceremony are available
on the 2023 KCAD Commencement Guide. Once your application for degree has been approved you will receive additional information
via your ferris.edu email.
Commencement Rehearsal
WHEN: Friday, May 5, 2023 / 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
WHERE: Forest Hills Fine Arts Center 600 Forest Hills Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546
All December 2022 and Spring/Summer 2023 participating graduates are highly encouraged
to attend the rehearsal. If you do not have transportation or are unable to coordinate
transportation to the Fine Arts Center for Rehearsal, please email [email protected].
Individuals with disabilities who require special accommodations to participate in
either event should email [email protected] at least 72 hours in advance.
Other Commencement Info:
Current KCAD students who meet one of the following criteria are eligible and encouraged
to participate in the college’s Commencement ceremony and Annual Student Exhibitions:
Students who have completed their degree requirements as of December 2022
Students who will complete their degree requirements in May 2023
Students who plan to complete their degree requirements in August of 2023 and have
nine (or fewer) credits remaining after the Spring 2023 semester
December 2022:This deadline has passed, if you plan to graduate December 2022 and have not yet submitted
your application for degree, please contact[email protected]immediately.
Spring/Summer 2023:Friday, October 28, 2022
December 2023:Friday, April 14, 2023
Ticket information will be shared with confirmed participants by mid-March. Each graduate
will be able to reserve up to six tickets for their supporters. After the initial
distribution, a ticket lottery will be held for those interested in additional tickets.
CAP DECORATING Commencement may be a formal ceremony, but in the true spirit of KCAD we encourage
you to get creative with your cap and make it your own! Need some inspiration? Check
out what previous grads have donehere
CAP AND GOWN ORDERING There is a cap and gown fee of $27.50 (undergraduate) or $58.00 (graduate) plus 6%
Michigan sales tax for each student, payable upon ordering. This fee includes cap,
gown, and tassel (undergraduate) and cap, gown, tassel and hood (graduate). The shipping
and handling fee is $15.95 and your order will be shipped directly to your house.
Caps and gowns can only be ordered online. The last day to order without expedited
shipping charges will be April 12, 2023.
*Ordering a cap and gown is optional if you do not participate in the Commencement
ceremony.
The KCAD B.F.A., B.S. or B.A. degree is awarded “with Honors” when a student has earned
a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher once grades for their final semester are calculated.
Actual GPA and honors are determined once the degree is completed, and final grades
are computed. Transfer students must have earned at least 30 semester credit hours
in residency prior to their final semester for honors consideration. The honors recognition
is indicated in the Commencement program as well as on the diploma and official transcript.
Students who are not planning to complete their degree requirements until August of
2023 will be considered for “Honors” after the Spring 2023 semester. Students who
have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher after the Spring 2023 semester will wear an
honors cord and the Commencement program listing for honors will say “August.”
Students who will be graduating “with Honors” will receive their honor cords from
KCAD at Commencement rehearsal.
One student is chosen from each year’s graduating class to receive the highest academic
honor, represented by the receipt of a Bachelor’s Hood. Selection is based on academic
achievement, on earning the majority or all 120 credits at KCAD, on the recommendation
of the student’s program faculty, on community service to the college, and on leadership
qualities.
The valedictorian will receive their Bachelor’s Hood during the Commencement ceremony.
Degrees are granted and diplomas are issued to KCAD degree candidates in May, August,
and December. The annual commencement ceremony is held in May. Students completing
their coursework at the end of summer semester (August) may participate in the Commencement
ceremony just prior to that summer semester.
Receiving Your Diploma by Mail
Student diplomas will be mailed to the address on file* with the college at the time
of degree completion per the following schedule:
Students who have completed their degree requirements as of December will receive
their diploma in the mail in mid-to-late February.
Students who will complete their degree requirements in May will receive their diploma
in the mail in mid-to-late July.
Students who complete their degree requirements in August will receive their diploma
in the mail in late September.
*Students who move after completing their degree should correct their permanent address
on file through MyFSU, check for any holds (library fines, outstanding tuition balance,
etc.) on MyFSU, and complete Direct Loan Exit Counseling and/or Perkins Loan Papers
(if applicable).
KCAD's2023 Annual Student Exhibitionswill be on view at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (17
Fountain. St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503) from May 1 – May 6, 2023. The opening reception
will take place on May 2, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm.
In addition to physical exhibitions KCAD will present complementary online exhibitions
that will go live at 4:00 pm on May 2, 2023.
Students who are graduating will receive a Direct Loan Exit Counseling/Perkins Loan
Counseling e-mail and reminders from the Ferris Financial Aid Office. Please complete
these, as applicable.Direct Loan Exit Counselingcan be completed online.Perkins Loan Exit Counselingcan be also completed online.
Please contact[email protected] with any questions regarding Direct Loan Exit Counseling, Perkins Loan Counseling,
and/or student loan repayment.
October 28, 2022 - Application for Degree submission deadline (for Spring2023/Summer
2023 graduates) NOTE: December 2022 Application for Degree deadline has passed
November 2, 2022 - Virtual Information Session for Graduates and Parents (11:30 am
– 12:20 pm, preented via Zoom)
November 3, 2022 - Graduates Fair (11:30 am - 12:20 pm, KDL 103)
November 9, 2022 - What You Don’t Know: Planning for the Annual Senior Student Exhibition
(11:30 am – 12:20 pm, presented via Zoom)
February 15, 2023 - Graduates Fair (11:30am-12:20pm, KDL 103)
March 1, 2023 - What You Don’t Know: How to Price Your Artwork with Director of Curatorial
Michele Bosak (11:30 am -12:20 pm, presented via Zoom – REGISTER TO ATTEND)
