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COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

The 2008 Commencement will be held on Friday, May 9th, at 9:00 am in the Gym. If you have any questions about your eligibility or graduation apparel, please contact the Registrar’s Office (570.585.9217).

Attendance/Absence
For those who are currently enrolled in classes, you are expected to participate in the Commencement service unless you have received an approved absence. College students may request an excused absence from Dr. Lytle; Seminary students from Dr. Bixby; and Graduate students from their Program Director. The deadline is April 4th. If you are excused from attendance at Commencement, you will graduate in absentia and your diploma will be mailed to you following graduation. Please make sure the Registrar’s Office has your correct mailing address. For those who are not currently enrolled, you may decide whether or not to participate in the ceremony. Please notify David McClain whether or not you will be marching.

Rehearsal
In preparation for graduation, there will be a rehearsal on Thursday, May 8th, at 3:00 pm in the Gym. Attendance is essential (and mandatory) for a successful ceremony on the following day. You will receive detailed instructions and practice marching at that time. The rehearsal will last about one hour. If you anticipate a work conflict, please speak to your employer early to arrange for time off. All questions about the rehearsal should be directed to David McClain. If you plan to attend the Commencement service, but absolutely cannot make the rehearsal, please let David McClain know so that other arrangements can be made for you to receive your instructions.

Reception with the Jefferys
President & Mrs. Jeffery will host a reception for undergraduate students who are graduating and their parents on Thursday evening, May 8th, 2008, at 7:30 p.m., in the Student Center. Students and parents will have the opportunity to enjoy desserts, punch and coffee with the faculty and administrators of the college. Each graduate will receive three tickets (graduating married students are given four free tickets) to be picked up beginning April 1 from Anna Doenier in the Student Activities Office. Additional tickets may be purchased for $3.00 each during that same time frame. Graduate school and seminary graduates will be honored at separate events and will receive information about these events at a later date.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

The Commencement Committee tries to make graduation a meaningful event for you and your guests. To help in your planning, we have identified several important items for you. Your careful attention to the following will help us to have a successful Commencement.

1. The Commencement Service will be on Friday, May 9th, at 9:00 am in the Gym.
2. No tickets will be issued for Commencement seating. Since seating is limited, each graduate should restrict the number of invited guests to 7 persons for the Gym. Guests will not be admitted to the seating area prior to 8:00 am and no seats may be reserved prior to that time.
3. No child care will be provided, but we will offer closed–circuit television viewing in the Cafetorium for those who need it for small children or for overflow seating.
4. Check your Commencement Apparel carefully and report problems to the Registrar promptly.
5. The marching lineup will assemble in the Cafetorium on Commencement Day at 8:00 am.
6. Ladies are expected to wear dresses, dress shoes or dress sandals (no flip-flop style sandals or sandals without a heel strap).
7. Men are expected to wear dark dress slacks, white or solid color dress shirt with a tie (no bow ties), dress shoes and socks (no sandals or mules). Men are expected to maintain the hair length and facial hair policy of the school.
8. Caps should be worn level, with the tassel on the right side before you graduate.
9. Please do not chew gum during the service or engage in any behavior that would detract from the dignity of the occasion.
10. The actual diplomas will be mailed out subsequent to Commencement. You will only receive blank diploma cases on the platform.

Special Seating Needs
In order to secure proper seating for everyone, we need to know if anyone among your family and friends attending Commencement has special seating needs. These may include wheelchairs or those with hearing or sight difficulties who require seating up front. Please let us know as soon as possible so we can make arrangements. We are able to make adjustments up until the last week. In addition, there is an overflow section in the Cafetorium where guests may view the ceremony by closed–circuit television. This is sometimes more convenient to visitors with special seating needs.

Contact Information

 

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