Graduation is typically associated with a funny tasseled hat. For SPU
graduate students, the honor of achieving their master’s degrees
is celebrated not with mortarboards, but with the donning of hoods.
Jeannie John, who earned her master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Leadership last year, is glad she took the time to join a circle of her peers for the traditional Hooding Ceremony. “It was a gorgeous day. We were outside and we were able to watch the undergraduates do the Ivy Cutting. I had done my undergraduate studies at another school, and our commencement was very different. This was nice — it was a small and friendly event, a family experience. I’m very glad that I attended, and I have some great pictures from it. It gave me an opportunity to visit with the heads of the department.”
“The Hooding Ceremony is a great opportunity for students to be honored by their professors,” says Joel Ertsgaard, who received his hood from Dr. Kenman Wong from the School of Business and Economics during the 2003 ceremony. “My wife, Sarah, and my son, Erik, were there. It is a more intimate tradition that can be shared with family and friends.”
“My advice to graduates would be to go,” says Kate Ryan, 2003 graduate from the School of Health Sciences. “It is one of those rare opportunities you get in life to officially and formally recognize an accomplishment. Treat it like the big deal it is. I’m really glad I attended. It was the most meaningful event of the weekend. It gives graduate students an opportunity to feel specifically recognized.”
On Friday, June 11, at 8:45 a.m., in Martin Square, this year’s graduate students will form a circle to be hooded by program directors, deans and professors. Doctoral students are formally hooded at commencement, but should attend this ceremony. 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.
At 9:25 a.m., master’s and doctoral degree graduates will proceed with the faculty from Martin Square down into Tiffany Loop for the Ivy Cutting.
Friday evening at 7:30 p.m., the Baccalaureate service will be held in Royal Brougham Pavilion, followed by a reception in Upper Gwinn Commons.
Students are required to register for commencement services online through the Banner Information System by Friday, May 28. Those who do not register in this way will not be able to participate in commencement.
Commencement services are being held on Saturday, June 12, at 12:30 p.m. This year’s exercises are taking place at Seahawk Stadium. Tickets are required for admission. Once students have registered online, they may pick up their free tickets at Student Academic Services (SAS) on the first floor of Demaray Hall. Tickets are now available. Students will receive 10 tickets each. Additional tickets are available by request during online registration. Students must then distribute the tickets to their guests. No one will be allowed into the stadium without a ticket.
For more information on commencement and graduation events, visit http://www.spu.edu/special/commencement/gradinstructions.html or call 206/281-2125.
Here is a list of this year’s SPU graduate degree candidates:
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Studies in Education Curriciulum and Instruction Educational Leadership Information Systems Management Management |
Marriage & Family Therapy Master of Arts in Teaching Nursing Physical Education Psychology School Counseling School Psychology Sport and Exercise Leadership TESOL |
Debbie Wysomierski Gets Down to Business | Nurses in Action | Spirited Sports Projects | Hungry? Thirsty?
