Commencement

Commencement 2012: Student Information

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation. Please carefully read the following information about your graduation ceremonies. If you have questions about this information, you may come to the Office of College Relations (Room 414, Lentz Hall) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday–Friday. We’ll be able to answer your questions and assist you in any way we can.

New Alumni Convocation May 18
Graduation Practice May 19
Baccalaureate May 20
Commencement May 20
Candidacy for Graduation


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Graduation Gear-Up

2-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 7 — Todd Wehr Center, Jockey Club

Graduation Gear-Up is your opportunity to receive your cap and gown, have a picture taken in your cap and gown, order graduation announcements, and much more. You will be required to pay a $20 fee in order to pick up your cap and gown. Please come prepared with cash or check. We do not accept credit cards.

Not able to attend Graduation Gear-Up?
If you are unable to attend Graduation Gear-Up, you must pay the $20 fee and order your cap and gown in the Office of College Relations after March 7 and before April 20, 2012, or you are not assured of receiving them. Those who order a cap and gown during this period may pick them up in the Lentz Hall mailroom May 7-11 and May 14-18 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Questions regarding pick up, should be directed to Tami in the Lentz Hall Mailroom, (262) 551-5711.

Seniors were mailed an Alumni Office information survey. This survey is to be completed and dropped off at the registration table at Graduation Gear-Up on March 7. After March 7, return form to the Office of College Relations, Lentz Hall, Room 414.

Friday, May 18

New Alumni Convocation and Promenade Dinner

4:30 p.m. — A. F. Siebert Chapel and Hedberg Library

This is a private program and dinner for graduates, hosted by Carthage Trustees and faculty. Graduates are invited to bring one guest. You will receive a formal invitation and reply card.

The New Alumni Convocation will be held at 4:30 p.m. in A. F. Siebert Chapel. The Graduate Promenade Dinner will follow in Hedberg Library.

Saturday, May 19

Graduation Practice

11 a.m. — N. E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center Field House

Graduates are to assemble at 11 a.m. in the N.E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center Field House for practice.

Sunday, May 20

Baccalaureate

Lineup, 10:15 a.m. — Tarble Arena
Baccalaureate, 11 a.m. — A. F. Siebert Chapel

Baccalaureate is a late morning worship service during which one of the College's honorary degree recipients offers a farewell address to the graduates.

Graduates, faculty, Trustees and honorary degree recipients are seated on the main floor of the Chapel. Family and friends are seated in the balcony. There is limited seating on the main floor for those people who cannot climb the stairs to the balconies. The Chapel does not have an elevator.

Commencement

Lineup, 2:15 p.m. — Tarble Arena
Commencement, 3 p.m. — TARC Field House
Post-Commencement Reception — Todd Wehr Center

The Commencement ceremony includes the presentation of special awards, honorary degrees, and bachelor and master degrees. We invite and encourage your attendance at both Baccalaureate and Commencement.

Please note that the wearing of stoles, scarves, sashes and cords during the 2012 Commencement ceremonies is restricted to all-College and academic honoraries, including departmental or disciplinary honor societies. These would include Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Chi, ODK, and All-College Honors. Service groups, Greek organizations and other organizations will be allowed to wear pins or badges if they wish.

You may not have anyone accompany you across the stage to receive your diploma.

Tickets: We encourage you to invite your family and friends to your graduation, however this event requires tickets. Each graduate will receive five tickets when he/she completes the survey and pays the $20 cap and gown fee at Graduation Gear-Up or in the College Relations Office. You may request additional tickets and approximately 10 days before the ceremonies, we will distribute any remaining tickets. Please do not count on any additional tickets. If you lose your tickets, you are not guaranteed replacement tickets, so please be sure to store the tickets in a safe place. Tickets will not be distributed before March 7, 2012.

Seating: The seats in the TARC are not reserved and are filled on a first come, first seated basis. Doors to the TARC open at noon. Field house seating will open at 1:30 p.m. Large video screens help to ensure everyone will be able to see the Commencement ceremony.

Overflow Seating: If you have more than five guests who wish to join you on campus for the Commencement ceremony, there will be a live video feed in the Todd Wehr Center, Room 128, to accommodate people without tickets to the TARC. There will be a large screen with audio in the room. Doors to the TWC, Room 128 will open at noon. The facility is air conditioned with easily accessible restrooms. This is a very good option for people with small children, those who find it difficult to sit for long periods of time, and those who do not wish to deal with a large crowd. Commencement can also be watched live online.

Restrooms: The Field House is located on the third level of the TARC. There are no restrooms available in the Field House. The closest restrooms are one flight below. For people who cannot manage the stairs, there is an elevator available.

Special Needs Seats: A space is reserved at the front of the room for people in wheelchairs or those who cannot stand. However only one other member of your party may accompany each person requiring seating in this area. There is a lot of standing that occurs during the ceremony. Guests in wheelchairs may wish to arrive early to ensure they have a front row seat so they may see all the activities during the ceremony.

Assisted Listening Devices: A limited number of devices to aid in hearing the speakers during the Commencement ceremony will be available in the Field House at the sound desk located by the southeast wall and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Parking: Parking on campus is very limited. We suggest guests arrive early if they wish to find parking on campus close to the event location. There will be a shuttle service on campus from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please enter at the north entrance to campus, as traffic will flow from north to south. Family and guest parking for Commencement is available in all on-campus lots. (See campus map.) 

Handicapped Parking: Lot I next to the TARC is reserved for disabled guests. A disabled license plate or parking placard will be required for parking in this lot. There is a drop off area at the main entrance to the building where you may drop off and pick up guests who cannot walk from the parking area.

TARC Hours: The TARC will open at noon; however entrance into the Field House will be restricted until 1:30 p.m.

Food and Beverages: The Dining Commons in the TWC will be open for students and guests from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students with food plans may use their plans; others may purchase tickets in the Dining Commons for $8 per meal for adults, $4 per meal for children under 10, and children under 4 may eat for free.

Einstein Bros. Bagels and Frëshens located in Donna's Bytes in the Hedberg Library will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Student Union offers the following venues: Seattle's Best Coffee, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Street Corner Convenience Store, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Jamba Juice, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Baha Fresh, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; World of Wings Cafe and Wingery, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The TARC concession stand, located on the main level of the building (one floor down from the Field House), will be open from noon to 2:30 p.m. and reopen at 3:30 p.m. In addition to food and drink items, flowers will be sold at the concession stand.

Candidacy for Graduation

Contact the Registrar's Office if you have questions about the specific requirements for advancing your graduation candidacy. Also, if you have questions concerning tuition or other payments, you must talk with a representative in the Business Office. No one is allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony until the Registrar and Business Office have released his/her name to our office.

Commencement Day Dining

Graduates and their guests have several on-campus food and beverage options:

Einstein Bros. Bagels/Freshëns
Hedberg Library, Donna’s Bytes
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Enjoy bagels, sandwiches, salads, fruit, juice, frozen yogurt, smoothies and more in Donna’s Bytes, located in Hedberg Library

Dining Commons
Todd Wehr Center
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Meals are $8 for adults, $4 for children under 10, and free for children under 4. Students with food plans may use their plans.

Student Union
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Seattle's Best Coffee
Street Corner Convenience Store
Jamba Juice

11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Baja Fresh
World of Wings Cafe & Wingery

TARC Concession Stand
Noon-2:30 p.m.; 3:30-5 p.m.
Located on the main level of TARC, one floor down from the Field House.