Western Carolina University Diploma Frames: A Guide to Preserving Your Achievement

Graduating from Western Carolina University (WCU) is a significant accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated and preserved. After the commencement ceremony, one of the best ways to showcase your hard-earned degree is with a high-quality diploma frame. This article explores the various diploma frame options available for Western Carolina University graduates, highlighting the importance of choosing a frame that not only looks great but also protects your valuable document for years to come.

Why Invest in a Diploma Frame?

A diploma is more than just a piece of paper; it represents years of dedication, hard work, and academic achievement. Framing your diploma serves several important purposes:

Preservation: A well-constructed frame protects your diploma from dust, moisture, pests, and harmful UV rays that can cause fading and discoloration over time.
Display: A diploma frame allows you to proudly display your achievement in your home or office, serving as a constant reminder of your success.
Professionalism: A framed diploma adds a touch of professionalism to any workspace, demonstrating your commitment to education and personal growth.
Sentimentality: Your diploma represents a significant milestone in your life. Framing it allows you to preserve the memories and emotions associated with your time at Western Carolina University.

Church Hill Classics: A Trusted Partner

Church Hill Classics is a reputable provider of custom diploma frames, partnering with the WCU Bookstore to offer a variety of frame options both in-store and online. Their frames are handcrafted in Monroe, Connecticut, ensuring high quality and attention to detail. When you purchase a Western Carolina University diploma frame from Church Hill Classics, you're investing in a product that is designed to last a lifetime.

Diploma Frame Options

Church Hill Classics offers a range of Western Carolina University diploma frame options to suit different tastes and budgets. Here's a closer look at some of the choices available:

Standard Frames

These frames typically feature a classic design with a single or double mat and a solid wood or wood composite frame. They are a great option for those who want a simple and elegant way to display their diploma.

Custom Frames

For a more personalized touch, Church Hill Classics offers a "Create-A-Frame" tool that allows you to design a custom frame to your exact specifications. You can choose from a variety of frame styles, mat colors, and wood finishes to create a truly unique display.

Specialty Frames

In addition to standard and custom frames, Church Hill Classics also offers a range of specialty frames designed to showcase other graduation memorabilia. These include:

Graduation Cap Shadow Box Frame: This frame features a die-cut display board that securely holds your decorated graduation cap, allowing you to preserve this treasured keepsake.
Graduation Stole Shadow Box Frame: This versatile shadow box frame is perfect for displaying your graduation stole, a symbol of academic honors and achievement.
Regalia Shadow Box Frames: These unique frames are designed to preserve your graduation regalia, including decorated graduation caps, honor stoles, and medallions.

Materials and Construction

Church Hill Classics diploma frames are made with high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship. Key features include:

Handcrafted Construction: Each frame is cut, joined, and crafted by hand in the company's Monroe, Connecticut facility.
Archival Materials: All frames are made with 100% archival materials, including acid-free mats and backing boards, to protect your diploma from damage over time.
UV-Protective Glass: The frames come standard with clear glass, but customers can upgrade to conservation UV-protective glass or a combination of conservation and reflection control glass to further protect their diplomas from fading and discoloration caused by sunlight and artificial light.

Mahogany Lacquer Diploma Frame

This custom-made Western Carolina University diploma frame features Mahogany Lacquer hardwood moulding and is double-matted, black on purple. The official WCU seal and name are elegantly embossed in gold leaf directly onto our premium archival matting. A pane of UV protective glass finishes it all off and keeps your WCU diploma looking as beautiful as the day it was earned. Comes with a 100% Lifetime Guarantee, making it the perfect, worry-free graduation gift.

Choosing the Right Frame

With so many diploma frame options available, it's important to consider your personal preferences and budget when making a decision. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Read also: CWRU Tuition and Fees

Style: Do you prefer a classic, contemporary, or rustic style frame?
Materials: Do you prefer a solid wood frame or a more affordable wood composite frame?
Mat Colors: What mat colors will complement your diploma and your décor?
Glass Options: Do you need UV-protective glass to protect your diploma from fading?
Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a diploma frame?

Determining Your Diploma Size

To ensure that your diploma frame fits perfectly, it's important to know the exact size of your diploma. If you're not sure of the size, you can choose your graduation year at checkout, and Church Hill Classics will craft your frame to the appropriate dimensions.

Here are the standard diploma sizes for Western Carolina University:

For regular Non-Honors WCU Bachelors Degrees: diploma size: 8 1/2" x 11” - horizontal. (Approximate overall frame size: 16 1/4" x 18”)
For the WCU Bachelors Honors Degrees: diploma size: 11" x 14” - horizontal. (Approximate overall frame size: 19" x 22”)
For Master's and PhD's Earned Spring 2006 & After: diploma size: 11" x 14" - horizontal. (Approximate overall frame size: 19 " x 22")
For Master's and PhD's Earned Before Spring 2006: diploma size: 8 1/2" x 11" - horizontal. (Approximate overall frame size: 16 1/4 " x 18")

Caring for Your Diploma Frame

Once you've chosen and installed your Western Carolina University diploma frame, it's important to take proper care of it to ensure that it lasts for years to come. Here are some tips:

Dust Regularly: Use a soft, dry cloth to dust your frame regularly.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Do not hang your frame in direct sunlight, as this can cause fading and discoloration.
Handle with Care: When moving your frame, handle it with care to avoid scratches or damage.
Use Acid-Free Tape: When installing your diploma, use acid-free tape to prevent damage to the document.

A Perfect Graduation Gift

A Western Carolina University diploma frame makes an excellent gift for graduates and their families. It's a thoughtful and practical way to celebrate their achievement and preserve their diploma for years to come. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, spouse, or friend, a diploma frame is a gift that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Where to Purchase

Western Carolina University diploma frames are available for purchase at the WCU Bookstore, both in-store and online. You can also purchase frames directly from Church Hill Classics through their website.

Read also: Growth and Community at WOU

The Importance of Archival Materials and UV Glass

When selecting a diploma frame, pay close attention to the materials used in its construction. Archival-quality materials, such as acid-free mats and backing boards, are essential for protecting your diploma from deterioration over time. UV-protective glass is also crucial, as it blocks harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause fading and discoloration.

Installation

Each Official Western Carolina University diploma frame comes with everything you need to install the degree yourself, including easy instructions and acid-free tape.

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