Schedule
May 20, 2012
Commencement Brunch
Seniors and their families are invited to a brunch in the Higgins University Center between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on the morning of Commencement. Make reservations
Convocation
All graduates are invited to recognize many of the outstanding members of the Class of 2012 and to hear the remarks of our honorary degree recipients at the Honors Convocation ceremony on Sunday, May 20 at 10:30 a.m. in Atwood Hall. The Honors Convocation acknowledges student members of various honor societies and the winners of academic awards and prizes. The Dean of the College's office notifies each of these individuals directly. If you are receiving departmental honors for a senior thesis or Latin honors, your award will be recognized in the commencement ceremony program.
Ceremony
Assembly
If you are graduating, assemble at 12:30 p.m. sharp in Kneller Athletic Center wearing (or carrying) your cap and gown. Anyone who does not arrive in time for accurate placement in the procession will not receive a diploma on stage. Commencement is a formal affair. Commencement officials reserve the right to prohibit a student from participating if the formal cap and gown are not worn, or if the student's identity is concealed in any way.
Seating
In the Kneller gymnasium, tagged seats are arranged alphabetically. Find the one with your name on it and be seated. You will receive last-minute instructions at this time.
Procession
From Kneller, you will walk in pairs to the Commencement area. When you take your seat on the Campus Green, stay in alphabetical order — otherwise you might get someone else's diploma.Program
The program, which begins with a commencement address and ends with the awarding of doctoral, master's and baccalaureate degrees, will run approximately 2.5 hours. To avoid disruption, and out of respect for all degree recipients, all students are expected to remain in their assigned seats for the entire ceremony.
Awarding of degrees
At some point in the ceremony, the faculty marshal will ask members of your degree group to stand. Remain standing as President Angel confers your degree. Your group then will proceed toward the podium, row by row, beginning at the front and the extreme left. Follow the person on your left. When your name is called, walk across the platform, receive your diploma and return to your seat.
- Group 1: all graduate degrees
- Group 2: all COPACE undergraduate degrees
- Group 3: all undergraduate college degrees
Recession
After the ceremony, the formal recession of the platform party (including the president, trustees, honorary degree recipients and faculty) begins. You are expected to remain seated until the party has left the platform. Graduates will follow them in a recession from the platform to Atwood Plaza along the walk beside Jefferson Academic Center, where faculty members will have formed an aisle to congratulate you.
Reception
Following the Commencement ceremony, a reception with refreshments will be held for all graduates and their families outside (weather permitting) in the Kresge Quadrangle, between the Higgins University Center and Sackler Sciences Center. The reception will be held inside the University Center if there is inclement weather.