Instructions for Graduate School Ceremony

Instructions for Graduate School Recognition Ceremony

Regalia (All prospective graduates participating in commencement activities must wear appropriate academic regalia)
Comfortable professional clothing to wear under regalia
Name card
Please give announcers, marshals, and staff your complete attention before and during the event to ensure you have all the necessary instructions.
Your smile!

When you find your degree program group, you will line up alphabetically.
You will be given a card with your name, phonetic spelling on your name, and degree. A number will be put in the top left-hand corner of this card.
Get familiar with your place in line. Know who is in front of you and who is behind you.
You will keep this card and should be prepared to hand the card to the name reader as you approach the ramp of the stage.
Do not change places after the processional begins.
Be in line when the processional begins (the line is ready to move). Once the music begins, you cannot rejoin the line.

The procession for the Graduate School Hood Presentation and Recognition Ceremony begins promptly at 1:45 p.m.
Members of the graduating class will proceed to the reserved seating area.
Your marshal and aisle ushers will direct you to the appropriate seating location for your degree program.
Remain standing until all candidates have arrived on the floor and the Platform Party has reached its place on the stage.
Continue standing for the Invocation.

Carrying your hood: You will keep your hood with you throughout the processional and ceremony. You will fold your hood in half and drape your hood over your left arm, placing the small end to the outside, away from your body. The velvet lays next to your wrist. Your hat tassel is worn on the left side for the duration of the Ceremony.
When your degree program is recognized, you will be asked to stand with your degree program and proceed to your right (which is stage left) in line.
When the person in front of you begins to walk up the ramp, and after his/her name is called, move to the middle of the ramp, and get ready to move onto the stage.
Hand the name card to the reader and wait for your name to be called.
Once your name is called, walk across the stage to meet the Dean and Provost, and they, along with your advisor (who may stand in the audience), will recognize you.
Pause to take a picture.
Proceed off the stage. You will be directed by staff to go down the appropriate aisle to your seat. Please do not leave the Auditorium floor (where you are seated) before the ceremony is complete.
Return to your seat and remain standing until all graduates in your degree program have returned to their seat.

Carrying your hood: You will keep your hood with you throughout the processional and ceremony. You will fold your hood in half and drape your hood over your left arm, placing the small end to the outside, away from your body. The velvet lays next to your wrist. Your hat tassel is worn on the left side for the duration of the Ceremony.
When your degree program is recognized, you will be asked to stand with your degree program and proceed to your right (which is stage left) in line.
When the person in front of you begins to walk up the ramp, and after his/her name is called, move to the middle of the ramp, and get ready to move onto the stage.
Hand the name card to the reader and wait for your name to be called.
Once your name is called, walk across the stage to meet the Dean and Provost, and your dissertation advisor or a program representative will meet you to congratulate you. Please note that your advisor will not place your hood over your head. You will keep your hood draped over your left arm as you walk across the stage.
Pause to take a picture.
Proceed off the stage. You will be directed by staff to go down the appropriate aisle to your seat. Please do not leave the Auditorium floor (where you are seated) before the ceremony is complete.
Return to your seat and remain standing until all graduates in your degree program have returned to their seat.

There will be a formal recessional. After the Alma Mater and the Benediction, the Platform Party will lead the recessional, followed by the faculty, and the graduates.
Guests should remain standing until the recessional is complete.
Graduates may want to designate a post-ceremony location to meet your guests to head to the reception at Blackburn.