May 12
May 12 Update
Dear Class of 2023,
We are one week away! Lots of updates today, please read everything carefully and share with your families, friends and guests.
Your seating assignments will be emailed to your Hood address by the end of next week. There will also be volunteers with clipboards to help you Saturday morning, to find the right place line. I will be sending emails next week with more details about the ceremony.
Good luck on any remaining finals.
Laurie Ward
Vice President for Marketing & Communications
Regalia
Have you gotten your regalia yet? You must have regalia to walk during the commencement exercises.
Regalia can no longer be ordered online or shipped out; and must be purchased at the Gear Shop or over the phone for Commencement-day pick-up. The Gear Shop is located on the first floor of Whitaker Campus Center, and is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Gear Shop's number is 301-696-3480.
The information you'll need to tell them is:
- Your degree type (bachelor's or master's)*
- Your major
- Your given size will be based on height and/or weight
* Doctoral students should be working with Sonia Bowie on regalia.
Cords & Stoles
- Academic cords can be picked up at the induction ceremony or through your club advisor.
- Student engagement cords can be purchased at the Gear Shop.
- Veteran cords can be picked up from Bonnie Nipper in the Student Life Suite, Whitaker second floor.
- Stoles can be picked up from the organization advisor or president.
Strawberry Breakfast Tickets
Severe Weather Tickets
Commencement will only be moved indoors in the event of severe weather. Severe weather is classified as high winds, lightening or other conditions that will put our graduates and guests at risk. We will do everything possible to hold commencement outside, including shortening the ceremony or delaying the start time.
In the event that is not possible, each graduate is entitled to three tickets. The ceremony will be held in the Volpe Athletic Center and live-streamed in other buildings on campus.
Tickets can be picked up at the switchboard in the Whitaker Campus Center. While tickets will be able to be picked up Saturday morning, if needed, I recommend picking them up earlier, if possible.
Information for Guests
Parking will be available in any on-campus parking lot, the Frederick Health parking deck (accessed through the Chapel lot), and street parking.
American Sign Language interpreters will be on the stage. If you have guests who will need access, please contact Britton Muir at muir@hood.edu for special seating.
Handicapped drop-off will be between Shriner and Meyran Halls, for those who cannot walk great distances. There will also be golf carts shuttling guests from the Chapel lot.