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Graduate Instructions for Commencement

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Saturday, May 4, 10:00 a.m., The John R. Turbyfill ’53 Quadrangle (Front Quad)

Check in with the faculty marshals at the tents on College Avenue, outside of West Hall, by 9:00 a.m.

They will give you a numbered card to designate where you line up.

1.  Proper attire is gown, hood, and cap with the tassel on the right. Cords/stoles may be worn if these have been approved for your group/organization by the Commencement Operations Group. The degree hood is worn OVER any stoles/cords.

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.

Assemble no later than 9:00 a.m. on College Avenue (Salem Civic Center Annex in case of severe inclement weather). Remember to check in with the faculty marshals to determine your location on College Avenue (or at the Salem Civic Center Annex).

Note that a locked area will NOT be provided on College Avenue/Salem Civic Center during the Commencement ceremony. Therefore, it would be wise to leave all personal items with your family and/or guests.  

Please do NOT carry Commencement Programs with you.  You will find a program on your seat. 

Also, note that water will be available for you outside of West Hall prior to the ceremony.  Please do not carry water bottles or personal items in your hands in the Procession.  These items are clearly visible on the video being filmed as the procession enters.

However, the Roanoke College food truck will be on site at College and Main Streets, where a selection of refreshments will be available for purchase, including energy drinks, protein/energy bars, and assorted packaged chips and cookies. Maroon Money is accepted as well as cash or credit/debit card. 

Only service animals are permitted on the front quad seating areas. No ESA or family pets are permitted in the graduate and/or guest seating sections, processional, or recessional.

 2.  A line of march precisely ordered according to degree and alphabetical arrangement must be established. As soon as you check in, go to the area designated for your degree and alphabetical listing so you can find your place in line.  Please remain in that place.  Marshals and staff will be on hand to organize the line-up. (Be sure to note the graduate in front and behind you in line.)  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 case 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.  The women will keep their caps on during the entire program. The men will remove their caps just prior to the invocation and replace it after the invocation.  If you are unsure, watch the Platform Party on the stage.

5.  When the time comes for the conferring of degrees, Dean Wolfe will instruct the B.A. candidates to rise. President Shushok will make a statement officially conferring the B.A. degrees.  Immediately after this statement, change your tassel from right to left.  Dean Wolfe will instruct you to be seated.  B.S. and B.B.A. candidates will follow the same procedure.

6.  Later in the ceremony, the Dean will announce the presentation of the graduates individually to receive their diplomas. At that point, the faculty marshals will guide you: you will rise, one row at a time, face left and move in single file to the ramp on the left side of the platform. Follow the directions of the faculty marshals--they will release each row to the stage.

7.  As your name is called, cross the stage, receive your diploma in the left hand, shake hands with President Shushok, 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 (if Commencement is held on Front Lawn), the faculty recess FIRST and will form a double line along an exit pathway. The Platform Party then exits, followed by the graduates. Pay attention to the faculty marshals as they will release your rows to recess.  The new alumni will pass through the faculty line and receive congratulations from the faculty.  Please continue walking along the designated pathway so that all graduates will have the opportunity to recess through the faculty lines.

9.  IF COMMENCEMENT IS HELD AT SALEM CIVIC CENTER: Following the benediction, the faculty will exit followed by the Platform Party. The new alumni will then exit following the Platform Party.  Continue marching until you have cleared the arena.  Due to limited space, the faculty will be unable to greet all graduates at the Civic Center.  Plan to meet your family and friends in the Civic Center lobby.

If you have any questions, please check the Frequently Asked Questions, or contact Mrs. Susan Rambo in the dean's office (ext. 2204) or email srambo@roanoke.edu.