Commencement information for students

Saturday, May 11, 2013
2 p.m.
Marcus Pavilion

Robing
All degree candidates are to wear their caps, gowns and hoods for this event. Please come dressed in your regalia, as changing rooms are not available.

Processional
All graduates must arrive to the Old Main Grand Staircase by 1 p.m. to receive their namecard and begin lining up. The processional into Marcus Pavilion begins promptly at 1:50 p.m. Graduates will line up by college or school and degree, in alphabetical order. Volunteer ushers will direct graduates into seats and organize the recessional.

Receiving the diploma
When it's your time to approach the stage, please hand the attendant your namecard (which you will have received at the Grand Staircase before lining up), and process across the stage upon your name being called. Graduates will receive their diploma* from Registrar Alex Arceneaux, then shake hands with University President Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D.

Photography
Professional photographers from Grad Images take pictures of the students both on stage and as they exit the stage. As each graduate exits the stage, he or she will pause momentarily as the photographer takes a picture. These pictures will be available for purchase through Grad Images.

Please be aware that we are unable to accommodate guests wishing to take photographs of graduates as they exit the stage. Ushers will be stationed around the stage to keep aisles and exits free; individuals will not be permitted to stand near the stage or the stage exit to take photographs.

Ceremony length
Although the length of the ceremony varies from year to year, depending on the number of graduates, it is best to plan for a duration of at least two hours. Graduating students are requested to respect the other graduates by remaining through the entire ceremony.

*Graduates will receive a diploma cover during the ceremony. Genuine diplomas may be picked up at the Office of the Registrar at the Lacey campus beginning May 28.