Letter from the President

April 22, 2020

Dear Students, Staff and Faculty:

Among the many challenges the spread of the coronavirus has brought to the Heritage University community is the need to cancel many important events. We had to cancel Convocation, the Nursing Pinning Ceremony, and all the graduation dinner celebrations. However, one event we have not cancelled is Commencement. This is too important a ceremony recognizing the achievements of our students. Even if we are unable to hold it in May as originally planned, we committed to holding Commencement as soon as it is feasible.

Given the progress we have seen in the state of Washington, we are ready to announce that we intend to hold Commencement for the graduating classes of 2019-2020 on September 5, 2020.

For those graduating, you may pick up your caps and gowns after campus reopens.

More details will come soon.

We hope to have a beautiful celebration that recognizes the amazing achievements of our graduates during these difficult times.

Best wishes,

Andrew C. Sund, Ph.D.

President

Heritage University Commencement

(The following information is subject to change.)

Please join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates and honor those who helped them along the way.

Commencement Speaker: TBA

Saturday, September 5, 2020
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Heritage University
3240 Fort Rd, Toppenish, WA

Rehearsal TBD

Calendar Event Page

Tassel and Hood

Tassel:  Must be worn on the right front side before degrees are conferred and then transferred to the left front side after all diplomas have been awarded in the ceremony.

Hood:  Graduate students do not wear their hoods before the ceremony, rather they carry their hoods over their left arm.  Graduate students will be individually hooded during the commencement ceremony.

Baccalaureate Honors

Baccalaureate Honors are awarded to graduates receiving a first baccalaureate degree.  The honors are based on the traditional Latin wording:  “cum laude” (with honors), “magna cum laude” (with high honors), and “summa cum laude” (with highest honors).  These honors are awarded to those who have completed no fewer than 60 credits at Heritage University and who have the following cumulative grade point average at the end of December 2019 semester:

Summa Cum Laude:  3.90 – 4.0
Magna Cum Laude:  3.60 – 3.89
Cum Laude:  3.30 – 3.59

The gold cord represents summa cum laude honors, the silver cord represents magna cum laude honors and the bronze cord represents cum laude honors.  The Red, White & Blue cords represent Armed Forces Veterans.

Please be sure to bring this honor cord to the graduation ceremony on May 9, 2020.