COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES are Saturday, May 9, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. on Wheeler Mall. All degree candidates (Undergraduates & Masters candidates) report to Jarman Auditorium with academic regalia by 8 a.m. to line up.

REMINDER: Graduates are expected to conduct themselves as adults--no alcohol present.

NO REHEARSAL FOR GRADUATES.  Only graduates who are part of the platform party will have rehearsal.

• All graduates (undergraduates and masters candidates) report to Jarman Auditorium by 8 a.m. with academic regalia.
  
  
• A card with your name will be taped to a seat in Jarman.  Please find and remain seated until the processional begins. Faculty and Junior Marshals will assist you with lining up.
  
  
• Candidates line up by college and degree. (Signs will be posted.)
  • Masters Candidates - Balcony
  • Undergraduates - Main Auditorium

NOTE: If you are pursuing a teaching license, you do not necessarily line up in the College of Education; the majority line up with the College of Arts and Sciences, based on their major. Physical Education majors do line up with the College of Education and Human Services. Questions?  Contact the Registration Office, 434-395-2580.

• With the ceremony being outside, you may invite as many guests as you wish.  (See Rain Procedures.)

PROCESSIONAL - CEREMONY - RECESSIONAL

• Junior Marshals will lead you during the processional, the ceremony, and the recessional.
  • Processional: color guard, Chief Faculty Marshal, faculty, banner carriers, graduates, platform party
  • Recessional: color guard, Chief Faculty Marshal, platform party, faculty, banner carriers, graduates
    
• Students always follow the faculty (processional and recessional).
  
• Banner carriers lead each College. Junior Marshals walk with each College.
  
• Remain standing during the entire processional. Dr. Orth, the Chief Faculty Marshal, will open the ceremony and ask you to remain standing for the posting of the colors, the National Anthem, and the invocation. President Cormier will ask you to be seated.
  
• When it is time to award degrees, the Dean of your College will say, “Will the candidates for . . . in the College of . . . please stand.”
  
• After a few words between the Dean and Dr. Cormier, Dr. Cormier will ask the candidates to turn their tassels; then she will ask the candidates to come forward to receive their degrees. At this point, bachelor's candidates turn their tassels; then all sit back down except for the first row, which will proceed to the platform. Then Junior Marshals will have you stand a row at a time.
  
• Masters degree candidates are asked to stand and receive their degrees prior to the undergraduate degrees--same format, except you do not turn your tassels.

TIPS:

• Keep a steady line.
  
• Graduates go up on stage to their left and leave on the right side. Be careful not to trip. Junior Marshals will be stationed there to assist you.
  
• When receiving your diploma from Dr. Cormier, accept the diploma with your left hand and shake hands with Dr. Cormier under your diploma. You will also shake hands with your Dean.
  
• A photographer will take your picture when you are awarded your diploma. Pause for a second. You should have received information from Chappell Studio; if you have questions, you may call them at 1-800-247-3435.
  
• Be seated after you return to your seat.