2010 Commencement

Graduate Commencement Instructions

Graduate Hooding Ceremony

Friday, June 11, 8:45–9:15 a.m., Martin Square
Students graduating with master’s degrees are invited to participate in the Graduate Hooding Ceremony. During the ceremony, their program director and dean will hood them. Master’s degree students are then invited to Ivy Cutting and to process with the faculty and participate in that ceremony. Doctoral students are also invited but will be formally hooded at Commencement.

Students should arrive at Martin Square at 8:30 a.m. dressed in regalia. The ceremony will begin at 8:45 a.m. Please note when you register online for graduation if you will participate. Tickets are not required, but participating graduates must wear regalia.

Ivy Cutting

Friday, June 11, 9:30–10:30 a.m., Tiffany Loop
Master’s degree graduates and doctoral graduates will process with the faculty from Martin Square after the Graduate Hooding Ceremony. We will begin marching into Tiffany Loop at 9:25 a.m. Tickets are not required, but participating graduates must wear regalia.

Baccalaureate

Friday, June 11, 7:30–8:30 p.m., Royal Brougham Pavilion
Do not wear caps and gowns for this service. Tickets are not required.

Graduate Receptions

Various Times and Locations
Receptions for master’s degree and doctoral graduates are hosted by their individual programs. Your school and program will notify you regarding your program’s reception when information is available.

Commencement Exercises

Sunday, June 13, 2 –5 p.m., Safeco Field, 1250 First Avenue South, Seattle
You must register online for Commencement by following the directions below. The ballpark doors will open at 12:45 p.m., allowing family and friends entrance to the seating area.

 

Please arrive at Safeco Field at 1 p.m. sharp, on Sunday, June 13. The time is needed to arrange processionals. Proceed immediately to the area assigned to your school, and pick up a card with your name before lining up in marching order. That card is for you to hand to the reading marshal as you cross the stage. Your name will be read from this card. Participating graduates must wear regalia. Do not rearrange your order of march.

 

Arriving, Lining Up and Marching. Graduates, please enter through the Main Concorse entrance. Remember: You will need a ticket to gain admittance. Once inside, proceed immediately to the area assigned to your school, and pick up a card with your name before lining up in marching order. Do not rearrange your order of march.

 

Faculty marshals will assist everyone in lining up for the processional into Safeco Field. The processional will begin at 2 p.m. The platform party and faculty march first, doctoral degree candidates are next, followed by master’s degree candidates, and then by baccalaureate degree candidates.

Keep your place in line and be sure to sit in your assigned row. This is imperative, as you will come to the platform in alphabetical order.

 

The 2010 Commencement speaker is Dr. Richard J. Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary.

 

Instructions on Awarding Degrees. After remarks by chairman of the Board of Trustees, President Philip Eaton and Vice President Les Steele will confer doctoral degrees, master’s degrees, and baccalaureate degrees.

 

On instruction from the faculty marshal, those seated left and right of the center aisle, starting with the first row, will march single file up the left and right ramps to the stage, present their name cards to the reading marshal, proceed to the center of the stage, receive their diploma covers from the president or vice president and shake his hand. At this point, graduates’ pictures will be taken by the official Commencement photographer. After that, return down the center steps and aisle to your seat. Remain standing until your row is complete.

 

After all degrees have been conferred, the undergraduates’ tassels will be turned upon instruction from the president, and all students — graduates and undergraduates — rise for the singing of the “Alma Mater.” Graduating students will not recess but should remain standing until the platform party and faculty have exited.

Important Details to Take Care of Before Commencement

Registering online. Online registration for Commencement Exercises will be available beginning March 5. Once you have logged in to Banner, choose "Student Menu" and then "Commencement Signup." Registration will be only through Banner. If you do not register by Friday, May 28, we will assume you are not participating in Commencement.

 

If you have problems registering online, contact Student Academic Services at 206-281-2031 or sasinfo@spu.edu.

 

Tickets. Tickets are required for admission into Safeco Field, both for guests (age 3 and up) and graduates. Once you have registered online, you may pick up your tickets at Student Academic Services (SAS) on the first floor of Demaray Hall. They will be available beginning April 5.

 

Students will be given 10 tickets, however, if you need more, please request them when you register online. You are responsible for distributing your tickets to your guests before Commencement. No one will be allowed into Safeco Field without a ticket. Note: If you are away from campus and unable to pick up your tickets (e.g., you graduated Winter Quarter), email sasinfo@spu.edu and your tickets will be mailed to you.

 

You are responsible for distributing your tickets to your guests before Commencement. No one will be allowed into Safeco Field without a ticket.

Caps, Gowns, Rings, and Announcements. Rings and announcements may be purchased from Herff-Jones at the SPU Bookstore. In early March, expect an informational brochure from Herff-Jones in your mailbox. If you do not receive a brochure, stop by the Bookstore for one.

Caps and gowns must be ordered on the Herff-Jones web site beginning in Winter Quarter. The deadline for ordering caps and gowns online is midnight on April 11.

If you do not order your cap and gown online, beginning in mid-May, you must order them in-person at the Bookstore — on a first-come, first-serve basis. To avoid missing out, order early and order online.

Once ordered, you may pick up your cap and gown beginning May 14 at the Bookstore. It's best to pick up your cap and gown as early as possible.

If you have questions about caps, gowns, rings, and announcements, please stop by the Bookstore, or call them at 206-281-2137 (from a campus phone, dial x2137).

Note: For undergraduate students, tassels on the mortar boards should be worn on the right side. Men will remove their caps for the invocation and leave them off until the conclusion of the Commencement address. Replace them prior to moving to the platform and remove them again for the benediction, replacing them for the recessional.


Summer 2010 Graduates. If you are a 2010 Summer graduate, have already applied for graduation, and wish to have your name in the Commencement program and participate in Commencement Exercises, you must register for Summer Session for all needed requirements no later than Friday, May 1.

Diplomas. Diplomas are not distributed during Commencement. Instead, they are sent to you once all requirements are completed and your grades have been posted for your degree. During the ceremony, you’ll receive a diploma cover. Spring Quarter graduates should receive diplomas by mid-September, Summer Quarter graduates by mid-December. Diplomas will be released when all financial obligations to the University — fines, etc. — are met.

Photographing/Videotaping. GradTrak is the official photography company for Commencement. They will take a photograph of each of you receiving your diploma, and you will get a proof in the mail shortly after the ceremony.

You can contact the company at 1-800-261-2576 (toll free), emailing cusserv@bobknightphoto.com, or visiting www.gradtrak.com. No other photographers are allowed on the field or in any aisle in the stands.

After Commencement

Meeting Family/Guests. After the Commencement ceremony, family menbers and guests should plan to meet their graduates on the Main Concourse or outside the ballpark. Graduates and family members will not be allowed on the field.

 

More Information

Commencement FAQ. If you have additional questions, please check the Commencement FAQ. If you don't find your answer there, call 206-281-2125 or email graduationinfo@spu.edu.

 

Thank you, and we'll see you there!