Commencement Update
May 18, 2023
May 18, 2023
We are two days away! I hope you're getting excited!
If you are like me, you've noticed that the forecast for Saturday changes every hour.
The good news is that it won't be hot. And the weather does not look severe, even if we have some rain. The ceremony will be held outside, even in rain, unless lightening is predicted. Graduates and guests should plan to dress for the weather.
We will have rain ponchos available for graduates and faculty at line-up behind Alumnae Hall.
Please read the logistical information below carefully. As always, any questions, please let me know if you have questions.
See you Saturday!
Laurie Ward
Vice President for Marketing and Communications
Important Details
Graduates should report, in their regalia, to the back of Alumnae Hall by 9:15 a.m. to begin lining up. (You will receive your seat assignment via Hood email tomorrow.)
There will be plenty of volunteers to assist with caps, gowns and hoods. We will have bobby pins, safety pins, etc. Encourage your guests to be in their seats by 9:45 a.m.
The processional will begin at 9:50 a.m., stopping just short of the Pergola. The newly installed carillon system in the Chapel will chime 10 bells at 10 a.m. When the 10th chime has concluded, the Quartet will begin playing Pomp & Circumstance and the marshals will start the official processional, leading you to your seats. Again, volunteers will be by the rows to assist to ensure you go into the correct row.
As you process, there is no need to take a program from the ushers. We will have a bottle of water and program at every seat. (If it is raining, we will hold programs for you and once you're in your seat, we'll pass them down each row.)
There will also be water stations around the quad. If you need more water or a bathroom break during the ceremony, feel free to get up and do what you need to. The closest bathroom will be Coblentz (both lower level and first floor). For first floor bathrooms in Coblentz, the men's room is on the east side (Memorial side) and the women's room on the west side (Meyran side).
When it's time to walk across the stage, you'll pause at the side of the stage until the provost or dean calls your name. You'll walk across, stop for a handshake, take the scroll from the president and pause for a photo with the president. You'll walk down the other ramp and be directed to stand for a formal photo; then you'll proceed back to your seat.
Conferring of degrees will start with doctoral degrees, then master's, then bachelor's. Overall, the ceremony should last about two hours. We ask all graduates to be respectful of your peers and stay for the entire ceremony. It can disruptive when people leave early and there are rows of empty seats before the ceremony has concluded. When the ceremony ends, please remain in place until the platform party processes.
Department flags will be placed on the Quad (a map can be found at the back of the program) and you can find your faculty members near the appropriate flag.
Around the Quad
First Aid Tent
- behind the stage, in front of Coblentz
Missing Tassel, Hood, etc.
- Dean Wiafe will have a table behind Alumnae Hall, along the east sidewalk
Flower Sales
- Mortar Board will have two tables for sales: by the fountain (west side of Alumnae Hall) and in front of the Chapel
Gear Shop
- will be open 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- a pop-up shop will be located in front of the Chapel
Congratulatory Signs
- will be located in the grass square in front