Graduation Slide featuring Johnny Thunderbird and the St. John's University 150th logo. Text: Johnny Thunderbird, Degree in Vincentian Mission, Keep Stormin' #SJUGRAD21

Graduate Recognition Slides

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Graduate Recognition Slide ~ MarchingOrder

Together with MarchingOrder, we have created graduate recognition slides to acknowledge graduates during the Virtual Commencement and Degree Conferral Ceremonies. Graduates, along with family and friends, will have the opportunity search for personal slides or the slides of friends, and download slides to share across social media. The graduate slide will list the graduate's name, degree, school or college, and a photo and message, if submitted, in addition to the reading of the graduate's full name.

In March, graduates received an e-mail providing them with the opportunity to upload a photo, along with a message (not to exceed 150 characters). In addition, graduates were able to phonetically spell their name or record it so that the name reader appropriately pronounces it when their slide is shown. Graduates who submitted a photo to MarchingOrder will automatically be included in a digital mosaic representing the Class of 2021. The deadline to upload photos and messages to the graduation slide was Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 11 a.m. EDT.

The graduate slides are not an official graduation list. While every effort was made to ensure accuracy, deadlines may result in omission of some names and use of names of persons not completing graduation requirements as intended. The graduate slides, therefore, should not be used to determine a student's academic or degree status. The university's official record for conferral of degrees is the student's permanent academic record, maintained by the Office of the Registrar.

Please Note:

  • Photo or message appearing on the graduate slide is based on how much the graduate chooses to upload.
  • All photo and message submissions will be reviewed for appropriateness, content and copyright, and edited or removed as deemed necessary.
  • Messages and photos that are in any way considered defamatory, libelous, obscene, immoral or fraudulent to St. John's University will be removed from the slideshow.
  • The names listed in the slideshow are not an official listing of degree recipients. Also, only those students who were on target to have completed all degree requirements as of April 14, will appear in the slideshow.

Photo Guidelines

  • Individual photo, vertical photos will give the best results. Recommend a 3/4 waist up vertical shot.
  • Digital photo (jpg) with high resolution (no screenshots).
  • No writing or imposing any text/graphics onto the image.
  • No copyrighted photos can be used.
  • ROTC Cadets - before posting a photo in military uniform, please have your photo reviewed by a cadre member for appropriateness.
  • Photo must be in good taste and appropriate for an academic audience.

Tips for taking a good photo:

  • Put on your cap and gown! Alight the tassel so it overlaps with your hair or the edge of your face.
  • No cap and gown? No problem! Just use the cap and gown filter from ProPics or wear something snazzy and sharp.
  • Find the light! Facing directly towards a window during daylight hours, capturing the picture outside at sunset, or outdoors on an overcast day are several good options for optimal light. If you're outdoors at daytime and can't spot the sun, conditions are ideal!
  • "Social Distancing Photography" - keep everything at least 10 ft. away from you! If everything is distantly in the background, it will make a lot easier to virtually transport you. We want to get your virtual ceremony safely and in one piece! If you are using a smartphone (like 99% of the audience), capture your image in Portrait mode - this will also help with your digital chauffeurs get there safely! Make sure your background contrasts sharply with you - a light colored wall, a bright landscape - something that will make you, as the subject, stand out conspicuously.
  • Crop it accurately! When framing the image, the bottom of the frame should fall right around your knees, and the top of the frame should rest on top of an imaginary can of peas to leave some breathing room. Need help with framing? Turn your body slightly at a angle - do not stand flat to the camera. This angle will be far more flattering.