Everything You Need to Know About Announcements

Generic Announcements. These have just arrived from the printers. You are able to purchase them from Mark Baker or Rachelle Humphrey in Armstrong Hall. They are packaged in groups of five, and cost $1 per announcement. Each announcement comes with a small card on which to write your name and degree program, along with an inner and outer envelope. If you cannot come to campus to purchase your announcements, please contact Mark Baker. He can mail your announcements if you are willing to pay for the shipping costs. Announcements are sold on a first-come, first-served basis until Western Seminary sells out.

Personalized Announcements. These can be purchased directly from Jostens. They have your name and degree printed in them, but they are a bit more expensive (there's a required minimum order of 25 announcements for $42.70; additional announcements are available in increments of five). These should be ordered directly from Jostens.

Etiquette. Jostens has published some helpful information regarding announcement etiquette:

Graduation Announcements
Announcing your graduation is not only good etiquette, it is also a useful networking tool. Announcements are intended only to spread the good news. You may write "No gifts, please" at the bottom if you wish to dispel the notion of any obligation for gift giving.

Envelopes (announcements come with two)
The outer envelope, with the gummed flap, is the mailing envelope. It should be hand addressed as legibly as you can using black or blue ink. The inner envelope, without the gummed flap, holds the announcement. Address it informally:

Grandmother
Aunt Cindy and Uncle Frank
Fay and Steve
Mr. John Smithers

Place announcement in smaller envelope, folded edge inserted first, with the announcement front facing the flap. You may fasten the flap using a foil etiquette seal, or leave it un-tucked.

Insert the inner envelope into the mailing envelope with its flap facing the mailing address side.

Mailing
Send your graduation announcements before or after the actual commencement ceremony. The announcement is not meant to replace an invitation, it is meant to spread the good news of your accomplishment.