GRADUATE’S CHECKLIST
- Order Cap & Gown (Deadline: March 8, 2024)-No Charge
- Order announcements and class ring
- Complete federal loan exit counseling
- Complete your Career Services survey by clicking here.
- Pay student account in business office (April 1, 2024)
- Provide a forwarding address to mailroom
- Return all library materials
- Pick up cap and gown
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Office of College Advancement and the Office of Alumni Relations congratulates all of the graduates and welcomes them into the Simpson Alumni Association. As you begin the next phase of your Simpson Experience, we hope that you take with you fond memories and lifetime friendships. Upon graduation, you will become part of the Simpson College Alumni Association. There are no dues, but you will enjoy lifelong benefits. It is required that you complete the Graduate Questionnaire distributed by the Office of Career Development and Civic Engagement prior to graduation. The questionnaire will ensure that you will receive the alumni magazine and will be notified of special events, reunions and news from campus. If your contact information changes in the future, please let us know via the Simpson College alumni office website, or by calling us at 515-961-1547. Simpson alumni are spread throughout the nation and the world. By staying connected to your alma mater you will affectively network with other proud alumni, and discover wonderful professional and personal opportunities. Our very best wishes go out to our newest members!
OPTION TO ORDER ROSES
Each year, the Student Alumni Association sells roses for Commencement as a fundraiser for student and alumni networking activities. Roses are red and include a yellow ribbon and a laminated personal message from you. The message and rose(s) will be placed on your graduate's chair prior to the Commencement ceremony. Orders must be submitted by April 5, 2024 to ensure delivery. You can link to the order form here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcements may be ordered at this link . It is suggested to order 4-6 weeks prior to graduation.
BUSINESS OFFICE
Your account must be paid in full by April 1, 2024. Your transcripts and/or diploma will not be released until your student account is paid in full. For further assistance call ext. 1655.
CAPS AND GOWNS: (March 8, 2024 Deadline)-No Charge for Cap & Gown.
To order your cap and gown, please go to the Jostens Order Site or before March 8, 2024 10:59 p.m. CST. Placing your order on-line will guarantee you have the correct size for your height and weight. If you are not able to place an order on or before March 8, 2024 10:59 p.m. CST, please call or visit the Simpson College Spirit Shop. We will have extra caps & gowns available at the Spirit Shop in various sizes but we cannot guarantee we’ll have your exact size. If you have any questions please feel free to call our store at 515-961-1635. Cap and Gown pick up will begin April 15, 2024, unless notified of alternate pick up request.
West Des Moines Delivery
If you want your order sent to the West Des Moines campus, please call or email the Spirit Shop after you place your order, and no later than April 17, 2024. ALL cap & gown orders are automatically sent to the Spirit Shop regardless of the address you request online.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Congratulations on your graduation! Our office is responsible for collecting data on students’ first-destinations following college. Please complete this short survey by clicking here. This survey must be completed to receive your diploma. As you prepare to graduate, we also encourage you to take advantage of our resources and services. Please schedule an appointment through Handshake.
CLASS RINGS
Sample class rings and brochures are available for viewing at the Spirit Shop. However you will need to order your class ring through the Jostens website.
DIPLOMAS
During the Commencement Ceremony, each graduate will receive a diploma cover. Diplomas will be mailed out approximately 6 weeks following the commencement ceremony once all requirements for completion have been met. Your diploma will be mailed to your permanent address on file in the Registrar’s office.
HONOR GRADUATES
When you check in on commencement day students who are graduating with honors will receive a red and gold neck ribbon with an honors medallion. Students may keep these ribbons and medallions. Honors for the Commencement Ceremony are based on the cumulative GPA and number of earned and registered credits as of March 13, 2024. For more information call the registrar’s office at 515-961-1642.
HOUSING CHECKOUT
All April graduates must be checked out of their housing assignments by 12pm on the Sunday after Commencement (April 28th). Residence are strongly encouraged to set up a time with their CA to checkout before Commencement exercises begin. Further information about steps to properly checkout will be sent out and posted after Spring Break. Closing Floor/Apartment Meetings will take place in April, and all residents are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions please contact the Department of Residence Life at ext. 1306.
LIBRARY MATERIALS
Dunn Library wishes you the best lifelong learning adventure – your local libraries are there for you! You will receive an e-mail from us in early April if you have any items to return before you leave. If you have questions, please email Terry at terry.trunnell@simpson.edu.
LOAN INFORMATION
Exit Counseling – Federal regulations require all students borrowing under the Federal Direct Loan programs to complete exit counseling prior to graduation. The exit counseling will provide information on your cumulative student loan borrowing and repayment options.
Federal regulations also require TEACH Grant recipients to complete exit counseling prior to graduation in preparation of your teaching commitment. The TEACH Grant exit counseling will prepare you for proper management of your grant should it become payable as a Federal Direct Loan.
Information regarding your loans, grants, and exit counseling will be provided in early April.
MAILROOM
If you have a campus mailbox make sure to fill out the Grad Address Form on SC Connect. First Class mail will be forwarded for one year and magazines for only sixty days. For additional information please contact the Mailroom at 515-961-1638 or mailroom@simpson.edu.
PHOTOS
A professional photographer will take photographs as each graduate receives their diploma cover from the President of Simpson College, as well as individually, holding their diploma cover. The graduate will receive an email from the photographer with a link where they can see and order their photographs. Purchase is optional.
TICKETS
All seating is general seating, no tickets are required. Ushers on duty will be pleased to provide assistance to all guests. Anyone who would like to be seated near the sign language interpreters is asked to express that desire to an usher who will direct them to that specific area.
Student Development
Adrian McNew
adrian.mcnew@simpson.edu
515-961-1306
Continuing and Graduate Program Office
Laura Armstrong
Laura.Armstrong@simpson.edu
515-961-1882