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Graduation Information

The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service holds formal commencment ceremonies in the spring and fall.

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AAS DEGREE

ŸCompletion of both sections of NBE.

ŸA minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all coursework completed at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.

ŸDischarge of all financial obligations to the Institute prior to graduation

ŸMust satisfy all requirements of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI).

GRADUATION

Graduation represents the culmination of the candidate’s hard work throughout the year.  This is also the time that special recognition of outstanding graduates takes place.  The following awards are presented during the ceremony:

     •      ROBERT L. WALTRIP CHAIRMAN’S AWARD

This award is named in honor of the founder and Chairman of Service Corporation International and the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.  This award is presented to the graduate whom the class feels demonstrates the greatest professionalism and greatest promise in funeral service.

     •      RESTORATIVE ART AWARD

Each student is required to complete an entire restoration project, and on the vote of an independent judge this student’s work will be selected for this special recognition at graduation. 

     •      EMBALMING EXCELLENCE AWARD

The faculty votes on the graduate in this class who demonstrated the most improvement in the art and science of embalming and hence will be selected for this prestigious Institute award.

     •      GRIEF COUNSELING AWARD

This award is bestowed upon the one graduate who has demonstrated the greatest interest and skill in the area of the psychology of grief and counseling skills.

     •      FUNERAL MANAGEMENT AWARD

This award is given to the student who has demonstrated the best improvement in funeral home management.  It is given by vote of the faculty.

     •      HONORS GRADUATE AWARDS

  1. Students are recognized with Honors for maintaining a 3.0-3.49 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
  2. Students are recognized with Honors and Distinction for maintaining a 3.5 or higher Cumulative GPA. 

 

     •      DR. GEORGE H. POSTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The scholarship is awarded to the student who has exhibited the highest proficiency in the courses of Embalming and Restorative Art.

     •      MCENANY & MOEN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award is presented to the member of the honor society who has shown the greatest improvements in grade point average during the academic year.  The award is named in honor of the charter President and Dean of Commonwealth Institute.

Following ceremonies, all candidates and guests are invited to attend a reception designed to honor the graduates.