2008 Commencement

Graduate Commencement Instructions

Graduate Hooding Ceremony

Friday, June 6, 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 6, 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 6, 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

Saturday, June 7, 12:30–4 p.m., Qwest Field, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle
Register online for Commencement by following the directions below. Once you have logged in, choose "Student Menu" and then "Commencement Signup."

 

Please arrive at Qwest Field at 11:30 a.m. The time is needed to arrange the processionals. Check with your school to pick up the card you'll receive. 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.

The field doors will open at 11:15 a.m., allowing family and friends entrance to the seating area.

Registering online. Online registration for Commencement Exercises will be available beginning February 15. Registration will be through Banner, and if you do not register by Friday, May 23, 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.

On Commencement Day, a card will be given to you prior to the ceremony that you will hand to the reading marshal as you cross the stage. Your name will be read from the card.

Tickets. Tickets are required for admission into Qwest Field, both for guests 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 4.

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 Qwest Field without a ticket.

Note: If you are away from campus and unable to pick up your tickets (e.g., you graduated Winter Quarter, etc.), email sasinfo@spu.edu and your tickets will be mailed to you.

Caps, Gowns, Rings, and Announcements. Caps, gowns, rings, and announcements can 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, please stop by the Bookstore for one.

Caps and gowns must be ordered online at Herff-Jone.com 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 mid-May, you must order your cap and gown 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 16 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 (on campus, dial x2137).

Note: For graduate students, tassels on the mortar boards should be worn on the left 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.

Arriving, Lining Up and Marching. Graduates, please enter through the North Stadium entrance and proceed to the marked area to the left of the stairs. 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 Qwest Field. The processional will begin at 12:30 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.

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 the Stadium floor.

Summer 2008 Graduates. If you are a 2008 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 9.

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. The Picture Man is the official photographer 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 also see a proof at their website. To contact the company, you can call 800-261-2576 (toll-free), email custserv@gradtrak.com, or visit www.gradphoto.com. No other photographers are allowed on the field or in any aisle in the stands.

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!