Diploma Names

A graduating student’s name on their diploma must be a legal name and the following guidelines apply:

  • First names may be complete or initialed and must match student’s name on record. Omission of the first name is not acceptable.
  • Middle names may be completed or initialed and must match the student’s record. Omission of the middle name is acceptable.
  • Last names must match the college records exactly.
  • Hyphenated last names may be used, provided the student’s file has documentation to verify both names.
  • Suffixes, such as Sr., Jr., III, etc., may be used if documented on the student’s record.
  • Special accent marks may be requested through email.
  • Neither titles nor degrees previously earned will be included as part of a graduating student’s name on a diploma.

To update a student’s legal name, documentation of the legal name must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar prior to the degree conferral date.  Requests to change a student’s legal name after the degree has been conferred will not be processed.  Acceptable types of documentation to note a legal name are the following:

  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage document
  • Divorce decree
  • Certificate of Naturalization showing the new name
  • Court order approving the name change.