The Ceremony includes the academic procession, the Commencement address, the awarding of honorary degrees, recognition of faculty emeriti, recognition of degree candidates by major, and the granting of degrees by the Board of Trustees.

Graduate marshals will direct graduate students to the stage to receive their degrees and return to their seats. The graduate marshals will receive their diplomas after all other graduate students.

Senior class marshals will then direct baccalaureate degree candidates to the stage to receive their degrees, after which students should return to their assigned seats. Class officers, marshals and other undergraduates on the platform will receive their degrees last and will lead their classmates in the changing of the tassel from right to left.

Receiving Your Diploma

Please stay with your major so that your parents and friends will know when you are receiving your degree. When you march across the stage to receive your scroll, you will hand your marching order card to the person reading graduates’ names, who will READ FROM YOUR MARCHING ORDER CARD YOUR NAME AND ANY ACADEMIC HONORS INFORMATION STAMPED ON THE CARD. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU KEEP YOUR CARD THROUGHOUT THE CEREMONY.

After you have received your certificate, it is imperative that you return to your seat and remain seated until the ceremony is completed. It is basic courtesy not to disrupt Commencement for those who have not yet received their certificates.

At the conclusion of the benediction, individuals should leave the area in the following order: the platform party, faculty, administrators, graduates and members of the audience.

Graduates are requested to remain in their seats to take part in the recessional.