CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SENIORS!
Roanoke College Baccalaureate is Friday, May 2, 2008.
Roanoke College Commencement Day is May 3, 2008.
Friday, May 2
Departmental and Program Receptions: Check the RC website (www.roanoke.edu/commencement) for a listing of times and locations.
Baccalaureate begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Bast Gym with Reverend R. Paul Henrickson, Dean of the Chapel, conducting the service. Seniors will robe in the Alumni Gymnasium. Please arrive in the Alumni Gym no later than 3:30 p.m. Marshals and ushers will be there to assist you.
President’s Reception for Graduates and Families: 6:00 p.m., Olin Hall
Saturday, May 3, Commencement Day Continental Breakfast – 8:00 a.m., Roanoke College Back Quad (rain location Colket Center) All graduates, families and guests are invited to attend.
Commencement is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on the John R. Turbyfill ’53 Quadrangle (Front Lawn). In case of severe inclement weather (i.e., lightning, thunderstorms, or severe rain), Commencement will be held in Bast Gym. Please note that, if Commencement is moved inside to Bast Gym, the entry doors of the Bast Center will not open until 8:30 a.m.
A Celebration Luncheon will be held on the Back Quad (rain location Colket Center) immediately following Commencement. Please invite your family and guests to have lunch with you and the Roanoke College community.
Things to Remember
The following groups of students will be invited to participate in Commencement exercises: a. Those who have completed degree requirements prior to Commencement. b. Those who, at the end of the spring term, have earned at least a 2.0 overall grade point average and at least a 2.0 major grade point average but who are lacking no more than two units of academic credit. The students must have pre-registered for the outstanding course work and have made any appropriate deposits so that completion of degree requirements will occur no later than the end of the summer term for the year in question. c. Those who are participating in the 3-2 Engineering or Medical Technology programs and who have completed all residency requirements at Roanoke College and will complete all degree requirements by the end of the summer term for 2008.
Beside the names of students in groups b and c, a notation of “Anticipated August Graduate” will be included in the Commencement program. An empty diploma tube will be presented to these students at Commencement. Following the completion of all degree requirements, a diploma will be ordered.
Candidates with outstanding financial obligations are not allowed to participate in Commencement so it’s important that you complete all payments to the College prior to May 1st.
If you are concerned about the pronunciation of your name at Commencement, please stop by the Registrar’s Office as soon as possible.
Academic attire must be worn at both services. Representatives from Oak Hall Cap and Gown will be located in the Bookstore on May 1 (1:00-4:00 p.m.), May 2 (10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.), and May 3 (7:45-8:30 a.m.). You may pick up your cap, gown, and hood at these times.
Instructions for Robing
For Commencement, the seniors will robe in West Hall. You are to assemble no later than 9:00 a.m. Please remember to check the alphabetical listing attached to be sure you report to the correct robing location within the building.
In case of inclement weather, seniors will robe in the Alumni Gymnasium and the RC Pool Area (Alumni Gym). You should arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. Don’t forget to check the alphabetical listing on the door to assure that you report to the correct location in this building for robing.
The hood is not worn at the Baccalaureate service but is required at Commencement. The caps and gowns do not have to be returned. Please bring "bobbypins" if you need them to steady your cap. Oak Hall representatives, marshals and staff will be on hand to assist you in robing and lining you up in the proper order.
Please do not be late to the robing area.
Please do not bring your friends and family to the assembly area. Only seniors and faculty will be permitted in this area.
NOTE: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT APPROPRIATE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
Academic Processional Graduates will enter from the front entrance of campus and proceed to senior seating on the Turbyfill Quadrangle. Please be attentive to all directions given by the Roanoke College marshals and ushers assisting you.
Note that the Baccalaureate & Commencement 2008 programs will be on your chairs in senior seating in Bast Gym (Baccalaureate) or Front Lawn (Commencement). Please do not bring programs to the robing area with you.
Inside Commencement and Rain Passes
You may invite as many family/guests as you would like. However, in case of rain, each guest will be required to have a rain pass to enter Bast Gym for Commencement. Guests will not be permitted into Bast Gym without rain passes so it is important that you give the rain passes to your family/guests ahead of time. You may request up to 4 rain passes when you pick up your cap and gown in the Bookstore. There will be overflow seating (rain or shine) for video transmission viewing. Olin Theatre, Massengill Auditorium and Colket Student Center provide excellent viewing for your guests, especially those who may experience problems with the climate (heat, humidity, etc.).
Diploma Information
Please remember that your original diploma will be presented to you on stage. These diplomas are 14 x 17 in size and will be presented to you in maroon leatherette tubes. Also, enclosed in your tube will be the traditional blue and gold ribbons. You should have already received information directly from Professional Framing Company (an agent for the RC Bookstore) regarding a frame for your diploma. We will have a limited quantity of frames in the Bookstore during the week of graduation; however, Professional Framing can ship the frame directly to your home.
Baccalaureate & Commencement DVD
For 2008, Roanoke College is pleased to offer to all graduates a complete DVD of the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. This keepsake is our gift to you in celebration of this very special day. The DVD is being produced for RC by VIA Video, a professional video production firm. VIA Video will mail your DVD to your address of record approximately 6-8 weeks after Commencement.
Important Information for Families and Guests
Remind your parents/guests that Chappell Studios will be taking photos as you receive your diploma and exit the stage. Should they wish to take additional photos, we request that they stand in the area designated for guest photos. This marked area is located directly to the right of the stage.
Commencement Live! On May 3rd, Roanoke College will present a webcast of the commencement exercises live from the John R. Turbyfill ’53 Quadrangle (Front Lawn). The webcast will be available for viewing at http://www.roanoke.edu/commencement, starting at 9:30 a.m. If you have family or guests who have problems walking, please note that Campus Safety is providing golf cart shuttle service to transport these guests from one area to another while they are on campus. Please contact Campus Safety (375-2310) if you have questions about this service.
If a guest needs a wheelchair, please contact Health Services to make a reservation (Robin Strosnider at 375-2286).
Reminder: Unless specifically excused by Dean Day, you must participate. If you cannot be present, please notify the Dean, in writing, as soon as possible.
Please contact me ([email protected] or extension #2204) if you have any special needs for Commencement Day. Good luck with your exams and enjoy your Commencement Week.
Listed below are procedures to be followed for both Baccalaureate and Commencement. Since we do not have a rehearsal, please print and review these instructions. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BACCALAUREATE SERVICE Friday, May 2, 4:30 p.m., Bast Center
1. The proper attire is cap and gown (no hood), tassel on the right. Remember this is a FORMAL OCCASION so please wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
PLEASE WEAR THE CAP PROPERLY. The front point extends to the center forehead so that the mortarboard is level on the head—not perched on the back of the head like a baseball cap. Tassel is on the right.
2. Assemble no later than 3:30 p.m. in Alumni Gymnasium. Bring your cap and gown only. Note that stoles or cords are not worn for Baccalaureate. Also, remember that the Baccalaureate program will be on your seat in Bast Gym.
3. No special order according to degree or name is necessary at this service; however, it is important to form and maintain pairs so that a double line of march is established. Please do not mill about. As you arrive, go to the end of the line. A marshal will then pair and count you. When this is done, it is imperative that you keep your place so that you may be ushered smoothly into the proper row of seats. If you arrive after the marshal has begun this process, it is essential that you go to the end of the line.
4. The order of march for both the processional and the recessional will be: 1) the Platform Party, 2) the Faculty, 3) the Seniors. When you arrive at the seats, watch the marshal for directions about which row to enter. If you are directed into a row, press in even though it may seem that all seats are taken. The marshals are counting, so depend on them.
5. During both marches, please avoid talking or any other action that might detract from the dignity of the occasion.
6. Women will leave their caps on during the entire service. Men will remove their caps just before the invocation and replace them only after the benediction. Watch the Platform Party if you are unsure.
The Alumni Gymnasium will not be locked during Baccalaureate so we suggest you leave your personal belongings with your family or in your room.
NOTE: Because of our affiliation with the Lutheran Church, the Baccalaureate service is by tradition a Lutheran religious service. Everyone is expected to attend; if you need to be excused, please notify Dean Day by contacting Dianne Eary at extension #2204 or email [email protected]. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM Saturday, May 3, 10:00 a.m., John R. Turbyfill ’53 Quadrangle (Front Lawn) THIS EXERCISE HAS TO BE ORGANIZED CAREFULLY. THERE WILL BE NO REHEARSAL.
1. The proper attire is gown, hood, and cap with tassel on the right. Wear the same type of street clothes as for the Baccalaureate. Assemble no later than 9:00 a.m. in West Hall (Alumni Gymnasium or RC Pool Area if inclement weather). Remember to check the alphabetical listing attached to determine your robing location in West Hall. If robing is in Alumni Gym, please check signs at the entrance for your reporting area. Note that a locked area for personal belongings will NOT be provided in West Hall or Alumni Gym.
2. A line of march precisely ordered according to degree and alphabetical arrangement must be established. As soon as you are robed, go to the area designated for your degree and find your place in line, and remain in that place. Marshals and staff will be on hand to organize the line-up. (Remember to see who is next to you – programs will be available for you on your seats on Front Lawn or in Bast Gym.) There is time for only one roll call and if you are not in your proper place, we will assume you are absent and your diploma will be pulled from the stack before the procession begins.
3. The order of march for the processional will be: 1) Platform Party, 2) Faculty, 3) Seniors. Follow the directions of the marshals. They are counting and will get you in the proper seat.
4. Women will keep their caps on during the entire program. Men will remove their caps just prior to the invocation. If unsure, watch the Platform Party.
5. When the time comes for the conferring of degrees, Dean Day will instruct the B.A. candidates to rise and put on their caps. President Maxey will make a statement officially conferring the B.A. degrees. Immediately after this statement, change your tassel from right to left. Dean Day will instruct you to be seated. B.S. and B.B.A. candidates will follow the same procedure.
6. The Dean will next announce the presentation of the graduates individually to receive their diplomas. At that point, you will rise, one row at a time, face left and move in single file to the ramp at the left side of the platform. As the last person in each row steps into the aisle, the first person in the next row should file in behind him/her so there is an unbroken line extending to the platform. Follow the directions of the marshals.
7. As your name is called, ascend the ramp, receive your diploma in the left hand, shake hands with President Maxey, and return to your seat. Again, marshals will be there to direct you. Men should leave their caps on until the benediction. If unsure, watch the Platform Party.
8. Following the benediction, the RC faculty and Platform Party will exit toward the sidewalk between Miller Hall and the Administration Building The graduates will follow the Platform Party and exit onto Back Quad for the Celebration Luncheon. Don’t forget to ask your family and guests to meet you on Back Quad. If Commencement is moved indoors due to inclement weather, the Celebration Luncheon will be held in the Colket Center.
If you have any questions, please contact Dianne Eary in Dean Day’s office (ext. 2204) or email [email protected]. COMMENCEMENT 2008
For Commencement, the seniors will robe in West Hall. You are to assemble no later than 9:00 a.m.
Please check the West Hall areas shown below for your specific robing location in West Hall. Report to the location designated for your degree and alphabetical listing, find your place in line and remain in that place. Marshals and staff will be in each area to organize the line-up. If you are not in the correct location, you will be marked as absent and your diploma will not be presented on stage.
In case of inclement weather, the graduates will robe in the Alumni Gym. Please check the signs posted near the entrance for the location of your degree and alphabetical listing.
West Hall – Main Level – First Floor
Main Floor Room # 117 – BBA graduates (A - H)
Main Floor Hallway – BBA graduates (I – Z)
Main Floor Hallway – BS graduates (A - Z)
Main Floor Room # 123 – Valedictorian, Senior Class 08 President, RC Choir Members, Flag Bearers
Main Floor Room # 125 – BA graduates (A – B)
Main Floor Room # 127 – BA graduates (C – F)
For graduates robing in the Main Level Hallway and Room # 117, please enter from the Clay Street entrance (right side doorway as you face the building).
For graduates robing in the Main Level Rooms # 123, # 125, # 127, please enter from the Clay Street entrance (left side doorway as you face the building).
West Hall – Basement Level
Hallway Area – BA (G – S)
Room # 24 – BA (T – Z)
For graduates robing on the Basement Level, please enter from the Clay Street entrance (left side doorway as you face the building).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Restrooms are available on the Basement Level, Main Level, and Second Floor of West Hall. Note that a locked area will NOT be provided for personal belongings. Please plan to leave all personal items with your family or guests. Water will be provided for you in West Hall prior to the ceremony. Please do not invite family or guests to the robing areas. Space is limited and it is important that all graduates are in the proper lineup in order to receive the correct diploma on stage.