Saturday, May 24, 2008

Commencement, an important day for you, your family and friends, is rapidly approaching.  Below you will find Ceremony Instructions.

Admissions tickets are required for the commencement exercise. The platform will be setup to provide excellent viewing from all locations. Please remember, if you have not already done so, contact Kevin Selby ,by email or phone, (410) 857-2504, if any of your guests will require special seating due to a disability (e.g. wheelchairs, hearing impaired). Special reserve section tickets for this seating area will be issued by the Student Academic Support Services Office.

Important reminders: Please be on time!

1. Report to Baker Memorial Chapel by 1:00PM (rain site: Old Gill Gym by 1:00PM)

2. Pick up your name card at a table outside the Chapel Lobby (Undergraduate student honor medallions will be distributed here. Graduate student hoods will be distributed here).

3. 3. Find your correct place in line according to your line-up number, and be seated in the pews. (Lowest number will sit closest to window in each row).

4. 4. Listen to the instructions given by the marshals; when told to stand and move, follow the person in front of you.

Please be familiar with the Commencement Ceremony Instructions.

In order for your name to be correctly pronounced at the commencement ceremony on May 24th, it is imperative that every student who is graduating call and say their name three times. 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: 
Dr. Falkner will announce your name, please call 410-871-3387 (extension 3387 from campus).

GRADUATE STUDENTS:
Dean Hughes will announce your name, please call 410-857-2527 (extension 2527 from campus).

Congratulations and best wishes!

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Major Events Outline

• I. Robing/Line Up – Baker Memorial Chapel  (rain site – Old Gill – 1:00PM)
• II. Processional – Leaves Chapel – 1:45PM – Moves through the Central College Plaza (Red square) and then on to the Gill Center
• III. Degree Awarding – By degree, Master’s first, then Bachelor’s. Listen to Dean Hughes, Dr. Falkner, and the Marshals
• IV. Recessional – Reverse order of processional. Stay in line until you are in the reception area (Quad)

I. Line Up
On your line-up card, you will find a letter (R or L) and a number. The letter refers to the line you are to be in : “R” for right side as you face the front of The Gill Center and “L” for the left side as you face the front of The Gill Center.  The number refers to the actual place in line. It is very important to be in the proper place so that you will be on stage when your name is read. Please do not try to second guess the line-up; just be where you are assigned and you will be correct.

*SPECIAL NOTE:  On certain cards, there is the notation, “Start a New Row”. It is important that you start a new row. Do this even if there are empty seats in the preceding row. An asterick “*” on a card indicates the second person in a row. Please make sure the person in front of you has a card marked “Start a New Row” and that this person remembers to start a new row. Also, The last person in a row has the marking “Last Person in Row." The marshals will need to know that you are the first person or the last person, so tell them as you enter the row.

II. Processional
It is very important that the processional leaves the Chapel at 1:45PM. At 1:40PM A final check of the class will be made, and missing people will be marked absent. At this time, the marshals will take control of the processional.

1. Stay in the correct line.
2. Check the person in front and in back of you to ensure that the three of you are correct.
3. Remember to “start a new row” if you are the designated person and tell the marshal.

General Processional Route

III. Degree Awarding
At the proper time in the ceremony, Dr. Coley will indicate that we will now award the various degrees approved by the faculty.  Candidates for the Master’s and then Bachelor of Arts degree will be asked to stand. At this point, follow the instructions from the marshal. A marshal will come down and give row-by-row instructions. As you pass him/her when you leave your row of seats, give him your name so he can check it against the master list.

You are to come to the platform on instruction. Please go to the top step on the right side of the platform and wait until your name is read. When your name is read, go to the center of the platform to receive your diploma.  Take the diploma in your left hand so you can shake hands with your right hand. Continue off the platform on the left side, continue down the left aisle (as you face front) back to your row, and then to your seat and sit down.

IV. Recessional
The recessional will be in reverse order of the processional. After the platform party, trustees, and faculty have left the stage, the Master’s degree recipients will move to the side aisles, move toward the stage, across the front, and then down the center aisle. The Bachelor’s degree recipients also will move down the side aisles toward the stage, across the front, and then down the center aisle after the Master’s degree recipients. Take direction form the marshal.

Keep in line and keep moving until you are in the reception area. Please do not stop or step out of line to greet relatives.

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V. Things to Remember

1. Stay in line and follow the marshal. Please do not go off looking for your seat.

2. Tassel is on the left of the cap, and the cap is parallel to the floor (not on the back of your head).

3. Men should remove caps for the following: National Anthem, Alma Mater.

4. During the awarding of diplomas, move to the top step of the platform and wait for your name  to be read by Dean Hughes if you are a graduate student and Dr. Falkner if you are an undergraduate student.