On Friday, August 19th at 6:00 PM, Columbia Evangelical Seminary will hold its Silver Anniversary Commencement and Celebration at The Summit Evangelical Free Church in Enumclaw, WA. All current or former students and their families are welcome to attend and celebrate both the graduates and the school on this special day. Prospective attendees are encouraged to RSVP by sending email to ces@columbiasemianry.edu. There is no cost to attend the ceremony.
CES Silver Anniversary Commencement Celebration
Commencement Speaker
Rev. Ross Holtz, the 2014 recipient of the Pastor of the Year award from the NCMM (National Coalition of Ministries to Men), will be the commencement speaker. Rev. Holtz is a steadfast supporter of advancing the Kingdom of God through both ministry and education, and he offers a unique and inspired perspective that will challenge and inspire attendees.

Who is Eligible to Participate?
All graduates, regardless of when they completed their degree program, may walk in the ceremony, receive their diploma (or a second copy), and participate in the celebration. Current students who have completed at least half of their educational program by August 1st may also walk in the ceremony and receive a certificate (they will received the actual diploma upon program completion). All faculty, students, family, and friends of CES are welcome to come and celebrate both the graduates and the school.


Do I Need to Wear Academic Regalia?
With regard to academic regalia, there is no obligation to wear academic regalia for the graduation ceremony. While some will choose to wear academic regalia, you are not required to wear a cap and gown to participate. CES does not sell or rent regalia. If you choose to acquire academic regalia for the ceremony, you may do so through any merchant. In past years, some students have used the following merchants (though this does not constitute an endorsement):

http://www.graduateaffairs.com
http://www.academicapparel.com
http://www.facultyregalia.com
http://capsandgown.com
http://www.saxonuniform.com


For those who want the official CES colors on their regalia, the CES colors are purple, royal blue, and teal. However, it is not necessary that you have the CES colors. It is simply optional. Example pictures are on the Graduation page on the school web site. For all degree areas except Christian Philosophy, the chevron, tassel, and other related colors for degree programs are generally scarlet. For Philosophy degrees, the color is dark blue, with the option of adding scarlet piping to indicate a study focus in a theological or religious field. All doctoral caps should be the velvet, 8-sided tam with appropriate tassel color. For students with a Doctor of Christian Philosophy, the tassel on the tam should be gold. All quality retailers of academic regalia should be able to guide you through the options available.

All students who are interested in wearing regalia (purchase or rent) are encouraged to start the process without hesitation due to the long lead times on purchases and rentals.


Local Area, Accommodations, and Tourism
The ceremony will be take place at The Summit Church Evangelical Free Church, which is located in Enumclaw, WA. Enumclaw is a small community located approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour southeast of Seattle and the SeaTac airport, nestled against the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and close to the entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park.

Accommodations within a few minutes of town are limited, and out-of-town visitors may wish to book a hotel in Enumclaw or Buckley well in advance to guarantee a local place to stay. There are a variety of additional hotel choices and styles starting about 30 minutes out from town. Generally speaking, the further from Enumclaw and the closer to Seattle you choose to stay, your dining, quality, and entertainment options will increase, but your travel time will also increase. The commutes in the greater Seattle area can be very long, and during a Friday afternoon commute, it could take as long as two hours to reach Enumclaw from downtown Seattle, so please plan accordingly.

The tourism options in the greater Puget Sound region vary by location. If you choose to stay closer to Enumclaw, the dining, entertainment, and accommodation options are much more limited; however, you will be closer to some the Pacific Northwest's best outdoor and scenic areas. The further away from Enumclaw and the closer to Seattle you stay, you will have increased dining, entertainment, and accommodation options. Please note that the Puget Sound region does not have well-developed public transportation, and cab service to or from Enumclaw will be limited and on the more expensive side. Visitors should strongly consider renting a vehicle or making specific town car or cab reservations in advance.


Schedule of Events
6:00 - 7:00        Mixer, meet and greet with light appetizers
7:00 - 7:10        Introduction, prayer, communion
7:10 - 7:40        25th Anniversary, President Emeritus Dr. Rick Walston
7:40 - 8:10        Commencement Address by Rev. Ross Holtz
8:10 - 8:50        Presentation of Diplomas and Graduates
8:50 - 9:00        Closing remarks and prayer


Location details
The Summit Evangelical Free Church
920 Roosevelt Ave.
Enumclaw, WA  98022
(360) 825-7111

RSVP via email: ces@columbiaseminary.edu


Regalia Pictures
Philosophy with Theology piping
Inside of Hood with CES colors
Front of Robe
Back of Robe
Commencement Speaker
Rev. Ross Holtz, the 2014 recipient of the Pastor of the Year award from the NCMM (National Coalition of Ministries to Men), will be the commencement speaker. Rev. Holtz is a steadfast supporter of advancing the Kingdom of God through both ministry and education, and he offers a unique and inspired perspective that will challenge and inspire attendees.

25th Anniversary
After opening its doors on April 1st, 1991, CES is also celebrating its silver anniversary at the event. Attendees will hear from CES Founder and President Emeritus, Dr. Rick Walston, along with others who will share personal stories about the scope and impact of the CES ministry through its first quarter-century.