Commencement

Date: Saturday, December 19, 2009
Time: 3 p.m.
Place: Jackson Auditorium

Report to Hein Dining Hall by 2 p.m. for picture taking (a professional photographer will take portraits before the ceremony and as you receive your diploma), last-minute instructions, and clarification of the pronunciation of names. The marshals will be present to assist with the line-up, and charts will be posted along the formation area.

At 2:50 p.m., the procession will move from the dining hall to Jackson Auditorium. It will be led by the crucifer and the head marshal. The platform guests and faculty will follow in a single file. Graduates will come next (also in a 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 interim associate provost to present the candidates. Dr. Sieben will read a line which ends with "please rise." Do so as a group. The president will speak a few more lines and then Dr. Sieben will ask the candidates to present themselves as their names are called. Watch the assistant marshal. At this point, 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. Karen Norman, chair of the TLU 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 head, as a traditional sign that you have graduated. Proceed along the aisle in front of the stage, return to your respective row, and be seated.

After the benediction, the crucifer will retrieve the cross. The head marshal will direct you to fall in line behind the crucifer and proceed out of the auditorium and to the dining hall. The faculty will follow the students, followed by the platform guests.

A reception for graduates, family members, friends, and faculty will be held in Hein Dining Hall immediately following the ceremony. This event is sponsored by the TLU Alumni Association.