2020 COMMENCEMENT
Letter from the President
July 30, 2020
Dear Class of 2020:
As you know it was with much sadness that we had to postpone the commencement ceremony of May 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was impossible for us to think about holding such a celebration when the entire state was under “shelter at home” guidelines. But we believed so strongly in celebrating your achievements that we announced that we would not cancel the ceremony and instead hold it on September 5, 2020. We hoped that by September the pandemic would be under control and we would be able to gather and congratulate each and every one of you for your remarkable work.
Unfortunately, the pandemic is lasting much longer than any of us predicted. It is still affecting many in the Yakima valley. It is not realistic that in September we will be able to hold any type of ceremony that resembles a commencement and truly honors your achievements. We are forced to once again announce that we must postpone the ceremony of 2020.
At Heritage University we remain committed to recognizing the class of 2020 in a commencement ceremony. We will work on alternative dates and locations. We will announce the new plan as soon as it is available.
I hope that you are staying safe 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
Graduation Celebrations
Are you graduating this year? If you, so and a guest are invited to celebrate this exciting milestone! Please join us for Heritage University’s annual Graduation Celebrations as we congratulate the 2020 graduates on all of their achievements and welcome them to the Heritage alumni family!
Toppenish Campus
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Columbia Basin College (Tri-Cities) Campus
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
GRADUATION TRADITIONS
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tickets required to attend Commencement?
No tickets are issued as Commencement is free of charge to all attendees.
Is there a charge for parking at the Sundome?
Sundome parking is free of charge for Commencement.
When is rehearsal?
Friday, May 3, 2019 at 2 p.m. at the Yakima Valley Sundome
Is rehearsal mandatory?
Rehearsal is not mandatory, but it is recommended to help make Commencement operate smoothly.
What time should graduates arrive at the Sundome?
It is recommended that graduates participating in Commencement arrive by 8:30 a.m. and check-in at the designated table.
When will I receive my graduation regalia (robe, tassel, etc)?
Expected delivery and distribution is April 15-17, 2019.
Alumni Legacy Walk
The Alumni Legacy Walk is made up of individual bricks each engraved with the name of an alum along with his or her major and graduation year. Your brick will be placed in a collection of those bearing the names of other graduates from your class. Bricks will be installed on an ongoing basis (frequency of installation dependent on the volume of orders).
Your donation to the Heritage University Scholarship fund of just $45 will secure your spot on the Legacy Walk. You can also have a souvenir brick delivered to you for an additional $25 donation. Your gift is tax deductible, and all proceeds will be directed to the Heritage University Alumni Scholarship Fund.
Contact Us
Registrar
Phone: (509) 865-8505
registrar@heritage.edu
Registrar Staff Associate
(Transcripts and Registrations)
Phone: (509) 865-8506
Credentials Evaluator
(Transfer Credits and Graduation):
Phone: (509) 865-8609
Office Location & Hours
Student Services Bldg
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.