What to Expect at Commencement

Friday, December 18 at 6:00 p.m., Tingley Coliseum at Expo New Mexico State Fairgrounds

Arrival

Graduates will enter the Expo New Mexico State Fairgrounds and proceed to the Creative Arts Building by the appointed time. LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESSIONAL.

Name Card

Tables are set up with name cards.  Locate your name card.  If there is no card for you, ask the person at the table to make one for you.  If your name is difficult to pronounce, make sure you provide a phonetic pronunciation on the card under your name.  Take the card and go sit in the area that is near your school/college on that level.  For your reference, ceremony instructions are printed on the back of your name card. DO NOT LOSE YOUR CARD.

Line Up and Processional

Marshals will instruct you when they are ready to line up students. Line up behind your school/college banner.  This is done in random order, not alphabetical.  The marshals will tell you when to start processing to the floor, and marshals on the floor will instruct you where to sit.  TOYS, HORNS, BUBBLES, ETC. WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE FLOOR.  (Note:  Fire Marshal restrictions require that chairs be tied together.  This makes for close quarters on the floor.  Coats, purses and other personal items should be left with guests or locked in your car trunk).

Individual Recognition

Pay attention to the master of ceremonies who alerts you to approach the stage.  Marshals will also instruct you when it is time to go to the platform.  Readers on the platform will take your card and read your name.  (Note:  Readers do the best they can to pronounce your name correctly.  Reading hundreds of names will undoubtedly result in a few mistakes.  Please take this into consideration.)

As your name is read and you process across the stage you will be handed a diploma cover from the President. Marshals will instruct you back to a seat.  (Note:  you may not be in the same seat you were before approaching the stage.  Do not expect to leave personal items at your chair and be able to recover them after you go to the stage.) 

Graduation Photo

While you process across the stage for individual recognition, your photo will be taken by Chappell Graduation Images.  Proofs will be mailed to you by Chappell if you have provided us contact information.

Ceremony Video

The ceremony will be videotaped and DVDs will be available for $20 per copy. Please place your order online on the Photos, DVD page.

Recessional

When the ceremony ends, you will be instructed by the marshals to join the recessional. You can arrange ahead of time where you will meet family and friends after the ceremony. It becomes very crowded at this time so a specific section and side of the building to meet should be decided.

Photo Opportunity

Following the ceremony, degree candidates and their guests invited to gather in the Creative Arts Building for photo opportunities.