Commencement
Date: Saturday, May 8, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Chapel Lawn, Texas Lutheran University
The commencement ceremony will be held on the chapel lawn on the TLU campus. The stage will be set up directly in front of the chapel, with the academic mall from the chapel to the Victory Bell as the seating area. Rest assured that there will be plenty of seating for family, friends and invited guests. Tickets will not be used, except in the event of rain. Each graduate will be given 10 “rain tickets”, which will be used if the ceremony has to be moved to Memorial Gymnasium because of rain.
Report to Tostengard Activity Center by 5:45 p.m. for lining up for the processional, last minute instructions, clarification of the pronunciation of names, and picture taking. An assistant marshal will be present to assist with the line-up and charts will be posted along the formation area.
At 6:55 p.m., the procession will move from the activity center to the chapel lawn. It will be led by the crucifer and by Dr. Wilson, head marshal. The platform guests and faculty will follow in single file. Graduates will come next (also in single file) following the assistant marshal to the graduates' seating area. If someone is missing from the assigned space on the seating chart, leave that seat open as the person may arrive late. Once you are in, just follow the program and relax! When we reach the part concerning the presentation of the candidates, listen for President Svennungsen to ask the provost to present the candidates. Dr. Thompson will read a line, which ends “...will please rise.” Do so as a group. The president will speak a few more lines and then Dr. Thompson will ask the candidates to “present themselves as their names are called.” You will be directed, row by row, to the steps on the right side of the stage. Proceed to the top step and wait for your name to be called. Ms. Robin Melvin, chair of the Board of Regents, will shake your hand as you proceed across the stage. She will also present university honor graduates with their honor cords. Receive your diploma from President Svennungsen, shake hands, and transfer the tassel on your cap from the right to the left side, over your heart, as a traditional sign that you have graduated. You may sit down as soon as you return to your seat.
After the benediction, the crucifer will retrieve the cross. You will be directed to fall in line behind the crucifer and recess to the Victory Bell. The faculty will follow the students, followed by the platform guests.
There will be a reception, sponsored by the TLU Alumni Association, directly following the ceremony at the Victory Bell. All graduates, their families and their guests are invited to attend.
Again, congratulations on your scheduled graduation!
