What to Expect at Commencement

 

Friday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m., University Arena

 

Arrival

Arrive to the University Arena at the appointed time. LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESSIONAL.

 

Where to go

  • Associates and Bachelors degree candidates go the west MEZZANINE (upper level of arena) at 5:15 p.m.
  • Master's degree candidates go the SOUTHWEST concourse (ground level of arena) at 5:15 p.m.
  • Doctoral and MFA degree candidates go to the NORTHWEST concourse (ground level of arena) at 5:15 p.m.

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.

 

University Medallion

In recognition of you participation in the ceremony, each graduate will be given a university medallion as a keepsake from President Schmidly.

 

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 down the stairs to the Pit floor, and marshals on the floor will instruct you where to sit.  TOYS, HORNS, BUBBLES, ETC. WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE PIT 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 three separate times 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. The concourse becomes very crowded at this time so a specific section and side of the building to meet should be decided.