COMMENCEMENT 1 CONGRATULATIONS! The University of Alabama in Huntsville is excited to honor our graduating students with a memorable commencement ceremony. You and your guests are cordially invited to join us at 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at the Von Braun Center in the Propst Arena for this important event! LIVE STREAMING VIDEO OF THE CEREMONY Join us online! A live streaming video of the ceremony will be broadcast from the Von Braun Center. Access the video via uah.edu on May 6, 2018 at 2:00 pm! 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS // Commencement Marshall ...................................4 Commencement Speaker ...................................5 Commencement Location ...................................6 Parking ......................................................................7 Inside the Von Braun Center ...................................8 Guest Searches ...................................................9 Schedule of Events ...........................................10 Reception................................................................10 Student Instructions ..........................................11 Prior to the Ceremony ...........................................11 Day of the Ceremony .............................................11 For the Actual Ceremony ......................................12 Guest Instructions .............................................13 Photographer .........................................................13 Flowers ....................................................................13 Honors ...............................................................14 UAH Honor Cords ..................................................14 Undergraduates .....................................................14 School of Graduate Studies ..................................14 Honor Societies .................................................15 Ceremony Floor Plan ........................................17 About Your Diploma .........................................18 When Do I Get My Diploma? ................................18 Information Stated on Diploma ............................18 Dimensions .............................................................18 Update Your Address .............................................18 Proof of Graduation ...............................................18 Commencement Contacts ................................18 3 COMMENCEMENT MARSHALL // UAH will frame your future for years to come. Through classes, late night study sessions, trips, activities, research projects and other endeavors you have formed some lifelong friendships and sculpted an identity that has prepared you to lead and serve humanity. We recognize your journey has been long and difficult, and we are excited to honor you with a meaningful commence- ment ceremony to help transition you to the next phase of your life. You have earned the title “alumni” as you join oth- ers who have graduated from UAH that went on to excel in their chosen profes- Dear Almost Alumni, sions or academia. We expect great things from our graduates, but I am On behalf of the faculty, staff, and ad- confident the Class of 2018 will surpass ministration at The University of Alabama all of those expectations. We take great in Huntsville, I would like to extend my pride in you and hope that you carry the congratulations as you reach this signifi- UAH name with distinction to share your cant milestone not only in your academic experience and the lessons you learned career, but also in your life. We share in at this university with the world. your joy and are proud of what you have accomplished during your time here. Sincerely, When you first arrived on campus at UAH your perspective was shaped by your family, your high school and your childhood friends. Your past provided Brent Wren the lens for you to view your future here Associate Provost for at UAH, and shaped your dreams and Undergraduate Studies goals. Now as a member of the Class of 2018, we hope that the knowledge and inspiration you have received from classes, classmates, professors and the organizations and activities in which you have been involved at 4 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER // served as manager of the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office at Marshall from 2005 to 2007, where he was responsible for overseeing the manufacture, assembly and operation of the primary shuttle propulsion elements: the main engines, external tank, solid rocket boosters and reusable solid rocket motors. From 2003 to 2005, he served as as- sistant associate administrator for the Space Shuttle Program in the Office of Space Operations at NASA Headquar- ters in Washington. His responsibilities included space shuttle Return to Flight activities following the Columbia tragedy, ROBERT M. LIGHTFOOT, JR. technical and budgetary oversight of Retired NASA’s Acting Administrator the $3 billion annual budget and initial transition and retirement efforts for Robert M. Lightfoot Jr. became NASA’s shuttle infrastructure. acting administrator January 20, 2017. After a distinguished career, he has an- In 2002, Lightfoot was named director nounced his retirement from NASA at of the Propulsion Test Directorate at the end of April, 2018. NASA’s Stennis Space Center. He served as deputy director of the organization Lightfoot previously was director of beginning in 2001, until his appointment NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in as director. Huntsville, Alabama. Named to the posi- tion in August 2009, he headed one of Lightfoot began his NASA career at the NASA’s largest field installations, which Marshall Center in 1989 as a test engi- plays a critical role in NASA’s space neer and program manager for the space operations, exploration and science shuttle main engine technology test bed missions. Lightfoot managed a broad program and the Russian RD-180 engine range of propulsion, scientific and space testing program for the Atlas launch transportation activities contributing to vehicle program. He received a bach- the nation’s space program. elor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1986 from the University of Alabama. From 2007 to 2009, Lightfoot was deputy In 2010, he was inducted into the State director of the Marshall Center. He of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. 5 COMMENCEMENT LOCATION // PARKING The University of Alabama in Huntsville commencement ceremony will be held in downtown Huntsville at the Von Braun Center in Propst Arena on Sunday, May 6. 6 INSIDE THE VON BRAUN CENTER North Hall Parking Lot (P1), Cost $10 Access to the North Hall parking lot is from Clinton Avenue. South Hall Parking Garage (P2), Cost $10 From Clinton Avenue, turn onto Pollard Street and follow the signs. City of Huntsville Lot Former Meadow Gold Lot (P5), Cost $5 City Parking Garage (P4), Cost $5 P1 P5 P4 P2 7 INSIDE THE VON BRAUN CENTER // HELPFUL TIP A detailed view of the Arena layout is shown on page 17. 8 GUEST SEARCHES // All patrons entering the Propst Arena or Mark C. Smith Concert Hall during an event are subject to screening, which varies from event-to-event. Screenings range from visual inspection and bag search to screenings by a magnetometer (metal detector) and/or pat-down search conducted by security personnel. The purpose of the inspection is to detect prohibited items. Doors typically open one hour before show time. Please arrive as close to that hour as you can. If you cannot make it to the venue before 30 minutes prior to show, expect a possible delay. We have increased our typical staffing level for events to get each and every person into the building in time for the show. However, we cannot guarantee that will happen if the majority of the crowd arrives at the venue for entry close to show time. To help everyone have a positive experience when coming to an event, we ask that you do the following: Bring only essential items needed for the event you are attending. Leave ALL weapons at home. Weapons may include firearms, pocketknives, pepper spray, stun gun/Taser, and wallet chains. No detachable lens cameras, IPad/smart pad or selfie-sticks will be permitted. ITEMS NOT PERMITTED The following items are not permitted in the Propst Arena or Mark C. Smith Concert Hall: Backpacks Large umbrellas Bags/purses larger than Suitcases 14” x 14”x 6” Any noise making devices, specifically Bottles or cans air horns with sirens or whistles Aerosol cans Fireworks Food and drink purchased outside Selfie sticks of the Von Braun Center GoPro cameras Coolers Illegal drugs or alcohol Chains over 6” in length Weapons or dangerous devices Laser pointers of any kind Frisbees and/or beach balls Professional recording devices Jewelry or belts of any kind Poles or sticks (including signs containing spikes or studs attached to poles) The Von Braun Center is committed to creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all guests. All guests shall remain respectful and courteous to their fellow patrons and to comply with requests from VBC staff regarding policies, emergency response procedures and behavior which impacts the event experience of fellow spectators. The Von Braun Center values the support of all guests and reserves the right to eject any guest for any reason, including not treating other guests attending the event with dignity and respect. 9 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS // TIME ACTION ITEM LOCATION Noon Check in for students East Hall 3 Noon Doors open for guests Propst Arena 2:00 pm Ceremony begins Propst Arena GRADUATES & GUESTS ARE INVITED TO A RECEPTION IN THE VBC’S EAST HALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CEREMONY 10 STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS