My USC Lancaster

Associate Degree Cap and Gown Order

• Associate Degree candidates are able to purchase their academic regalia now through the Jostens website.
• Academic regalia needs to be purchased online by April 10^th to be delivered in time for the ceremony.
• Academic regalia will be available for purchase in-person in the USCL Bookstore if candidates prefer or if they miss the April 10^th deadline.

BSN and Palmetto College Cap and Gown Order 

• The customary academic regalia worn by USC baccalaureate degree candidates bears the seal of the University of South Carolina. The University seal is embroidered in garnet and appears on the front of the academic gown. You may order your academic regalia.  You may order personalized invitation cards from the Balfour Company.

• A response concerning your attendance at the 2024 USC Lancaster Commencement exercises is required. Deadline to RSVP is April 14^th. 
  • Confirm Your Attendance

Mandatory Rehearsal and Reception (Graduates ONLY)

• We will rehearse one (1) time prior to Commencement on Thursday, May 1^st at 6:00 pm in the USC Lancaster Rose Garden.
• Please put this date and the times (below) on your calendar and plan to be present. It is MANDATORY that you attend this rehearsal.

Due to limited seating, each student will be issued a limited number of tickets for guests during rehearsal. Please remind your guests to bring their tickets to graduation.  We will not be able to accommodate guests without tickets.   We will provided a  virtual link to view the Commencement Ceremony to anyone who is unable to attend. 

Children under the age of 5 will not be admitted into the graduation ceremony.

University of South Carolina Palmetto College Chancellor, Dr. Susan Elkins, will confer our degrees. She will be accompanied by other dignitaries and several members of the University Board of Trustees.  We are most grateful to them for joining us and participating in our Commencement exercises.

Commencement Reception

Following Commencement, graduates and guests are invited to attend a reception in the Special Events Room in the Bradley Building.

Beneath the academic gown, we recommend you wear: 

• A dress shirt and dark dress pants
• A dark dress or a dress shirt and dark skirt
  • If the dress or skirt is shorter than the length of the gown, it can be any color
• Dark dress shoes
  • For safety and comfort, we recommend low-heeled shoes 

If special arrangements or disability related services are required, please contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs at (803) 313-7007. Graduates should indicate whether they or any planned guests need disability accommodations on the RSVP form, and a staff member will reach out to them to discuss their needs. 

Columbia Commencement

• USC Columbia’s Commencement exercises for the College of Nursing will take place on Friday, May 9^th, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. and Palmetto College commencement exercises will take place on Saturday, May 10^th, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Colonial Life Arena. Please contact the University of South Carolina Office of the Registrar if you wish to participate in Columbia’s Commencement, (803) 777-5555.  You can check your status for Commencement on my.sc.edu after you contact the Office of the Registrar.  Information concerning participation in  USC Columbia’s Commencement exercises. USC Columbia’s Commencement exercises.

• Columbia Deadlines

• Last day to apply for Spring Graduation (Associate/BOL/BLS):

March 14^th

• Last day to RSVP for Commencement:

April 14^th

• Commencement Rehearsal and Reception (Graduates Only):

  • Rehearsal on Thursday, May 1^st at 6:00 pm in the USCL Rose Garden

• Commencement:

Saturday, May 3^rd at 11:00 am