Weinberg College Senior Convocation

Date: Saturday, June 21, 2008
Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

What is Convocation
Convocation is a ceremony at which each Weinberg College graduating senior is individually recognized. Graduates’ names and majors are announced and graduates are congratulated by the Dean and a department representative from their major. Graduates also receive their diplomas.

Tickets
No tickets are necessary—all guests are welcome.

Venue
Convocation is held in the Welsh-Ryan Arena at McGaw Hall. The facility is wheelchair-accessible, but not air-conditioned. Water will be available.

Special Seating
There is an area on the mezzanine floor designated for those guests with ambulatory limitations which is accessible by elevator. Additionally, there is a “special seating” area set aside of the first few rows of auditorium for those who have difficulty climbing stairs. Plan to arrive by 10:30 a.m. to sit in this area, as these seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to space limitations, we must ask that only the persons with ambulatory limitations and one additional person may sit in these designated areas.

Parking
There will be limited parking available in the lots adjacent to the Arena; additional parking will be available on campus with free shuttle bus service between campus locations and Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Caps and gowns
All graduates must wear Caps and gowns at Convocation. Online rentals are required.
Cap and gown distribution occurs in the Louis Room at the Norris Center. All information on how to order gowns on-line can be found at http://www.northwestern.edu/commencement/caps_and_gowns.html.

Diplomas
Diplomas are to be picked up immediately after Convocation under the west stands of Ryan Field, where caps and gowns are returned.

For Seniors: Sequence of Events at Convocation

• Graduating seniors participating in Convocation need to arrive at the field house at the Trienens Hall Indoor Football Facility by 10:15 a.m. Saturday, June 21, in their caps and gowns. Please note that parents and guests should go directly to the Welsh-Ryan Arena and will not be allowed in the Trienens Hall Indoor Football Facility.
• Graduates will be grouped by major. Signs will be posted to distinguish departments. For graduates with double majors, please decide with which department to be affiliated during the ceremony. It is not possible to announce second majors.
• Graduates check in at centrally located information tables, and pick up a pre-printed card with their name. If pronunciation of the name may be a problem, please provide a second, phonetic spelling. List one major—again, only one. Hold on to card.
• If a graduate is receiving academic honors (Cum, Magna, or Suma cum Laude), a special sticker will be affixed to the card at the information/check-in tables. If a graduate is receiving departmental honors, a second sticker will be attached to the card. (A list of those receiving honors will be at the information/check-in tables.) The representative from each major is also responsible for leading the group in the processional.
• The procession from the Trienens Hall Indoor Football Facility into the arena will begin promptly at 10:50 a.m. Ushers will be on hand to help form the processional lines, keep them organized and direct graduates to their seats. Please respect their assistance and follow their guidance.
• The ceremony includes opening remarks by Dean Aldon Morris and an address by the Convocation speaker, usually a distinguished faculty member. Then, by an usher’s signal, one row of graduates at a time will rise and proceed to the stage. Graduates will hand the card to the Reader and proceed across the stage as each name is announced. The Dean and a faculty representative from the majors will congratulate each graduate as he/she crosses the stage.
• A professional photograph will be taken as each graduate shakes hands with the Dean. Proofs of these photographs will be sent to the address listed on the card.
• Graduates return to their seats until the end of the ceremony. Please remain seated until everyone has crossed the stage.
• After all graduates have been congratulated, the Faculty will rise to lead the recession from the arena. Graduates will recess under the direction of the ushers.

For non-graduating students working as junior marshals at Convocation
Work hours at Convocation are 9:15 a.m. – 2 p.m. (If you are needed to work at Commencement, as well, you will be contacted by the Office of Special Events.)

There is a mandatory instructional session on Thursday June 19, from 3-5 p.m. at the Welsh Ryan Arena.