Graduating Student Ceremony Instructions

The following instructions are for both graduate and undergraduate students.

Before you arrive on campus:

• Give your guests their tickets
• Leave all personal belongings with family/friends
• Make sure you have your cap, gown, tassel and
  • Stole of Gratitude (white sash) - Undergraduates only
  • Hood - Master's students only - Doctoral hoods will be presented at the hooding ceremony
• Make a plan with your guests about where to meet outside of the Events Center after the ceremony

Arrive on campus:

• Report to the Check-In Tent, located to the right of the Events Center no later than one (1) hour prior to the start time of your ceremony
  • Take a right at the bronze bearcat statue, go down the stairs to the tent
• Check-in with staff and receive your name card
  • Harpur students may have received a name card with their cap and gown
  • The name card will be given to the name reader as you ascend the stage stairs
• You must remain in the check-in area after you have signed in
• Do not leave personal items behind; the space will not be secured during the ceremony

Processional (entering ceremony):

• Approximately 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start time, you will begin to line up in two columns
  • Look for your school representatives for assistance in lining up correctly
  • If there is a friend you wish to sit with, make sure he/she is directly behind you in line
  • Doctoral students should stand in line behind their faculty advisor
• Move to your seat, but do not sit until directed to do so by the Grand Marshal (on stage)

Ceremony:

• All students walk across the stage, shake hands with President Stenger and receive a certificate
  • Remember, diplomas are mailed 6-8 weeks following the ceremony
• Return to your seat, but remain standing until you are instructed to be seated by your school's dean or department chair

Recessional (leaving ceremony):

• When it is time to leave the Events Center, everyone on stage will leave first
• Marshals will leave next
• Students will be excused from each row, front to back
• You will be led out the same way you entered, through the tunnel at the rear of the Events Center
• Plan to meet your guests after the completion of the recessional; do not break the line and head into the audience