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Commencement

Saturday morning, May 16th 10:30 a.m.

Outdoor vs. Indoor Plan: If severe weather occurs, the ceremony will move into the Simon Forum and proceed as it would have on the rear lawn of Mead Hall. Tickets are requiredfor the indoor ceremony only, with each degree candidate awarded seven tickets for family and friends. Tickets may be obtained at the University Center Desk, beginning April 15, through May 15, from 8:00 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Saturdays, and noon to 2:00 a.m. Sundays., (Students not living on campus who are registered for maintaining matriculation or dissertation research or have completed all degree requirements, will have announcements and downpour tickets mailed.) No downpour tickets will be available commencement morning, May 16. Students must present a valid I.D. Signs announcing an indoor ceremony will be posted at the only entrance to the campus on commencement morning, the Lancaster Road entrance.

Assembly

Candidates and faculty assemble at 9:45 a.m. in various sites in the Simon Forum and Baldwin Gymnasium.

Order of March

Within each degree group, candidates are so arranged that they approach the Dean in alphabetical order. Follow the instructions of the marshals for your group. Degrees are awarded in descending order, beginning with the Doctor of Philosophy and concluding with the Bachelor of Arts.

Each candidate is given a card with her or his name on it, along with the degree and any honors earned. The candidate's name will be read from the card.

-B.A.'s should hand the card to Dean Lawler
-S.T.M., M.Div., M.T.S.’s should hand the card to Associate Dean Samuel
-Graduate School and Doctor of Ministry candidates should hand the card to Registrar Tate.

If you expect any difficulty with the pronunciation of your name, please indicate the desired pronunciation on a card. B.A. candidates may see Dean Lawler in Brothers College. S.T.M., M.Div, M.T.S. may see Dean Samuel (SEM-102); others should speak to Registrar Tate. The procession moves in double file as outlined below.

Chief Marshal
Associate Marshals
Faculty-Faculty
Emeritors
Professors
Associate Professors
Assistant Professors
Instructors
Others

Associate Marshals
Ph.D. Candidates
Ph.D. Candidates (GDR)
D.Litt. Candidates
D.MH Candidates
M.Phil. Candidates
M.A. Candidates
M.Litt. Candidates
M.M.H. Candidates
M.C.T. Candidates

Associate Marshals
D.Min. Candidates
M.Phil. Candidates (GDR)
S.T.M. Candidates
M.Div. Candidates
M.T.S. Candidates

Associate Marshals
B.A. Candidates

Associate Marshal
Trustees
Associate Marshal
Platform Party

Associate Marshals assist Ph.D., Ph.D. (GDR),D.Litt., D.MH., M.Phil., M.A., M.Litt.,
M.M.H., and M.C.T. candidates and lead them in the procession.
Associate Marshals assist D.Min., M.Phil. (GDR), S.T.M., M.Div., and
M.T.S. candidates and lead them in the procession.
Associate Marshals assist B.A. candidates and lead them in the procession.

Hoods

Notices will be posted at the University Center Bookstore when caps, gowns, and hoods are available. Doctoral candidates should not pick up their hoods at the University Bookstore. The Bookstore staff will send the Doctoral hoods directly to the appropriate school office. Your hood will be presented at special hooding ceremonies on Friday, May 15, 2009. (See schedule of events for the time and place of your hooding ceremony – schedule will be made available as event nears.)

Line of March

Follow the pace set by the chief marshal and associates. Allow an arm's length from the personhead and maintain distance.

Program

Follow the lead of the platform group in removing and replacing caps and rising and being seated for various parts of the ceremonies.

Platform Procedures

When called to the platform, candidates should proceed across the stage as their names are read. The Dean or President hands you a diploma cover in a white envelope; receive it with your left hand and shake with your right hand. Continue on across the stage and return to your seat.

Recessional

After the ceremony, graduates do not recess. They should stand during the recession of faculty, marshals, and the platform party. Faculty should follow the instructions of their marshals. Graduates should remain in place until the procession clears the balloon arch before greeting family members. (If commencement is held in the Simon Forum as a result of inclement weather, students will recess out of the commencement area.)

Receiving Diplomas

Graduates should receive their diplomas by United States mail about two weeks after the commencement ceremony.

Parking

On commencement day traffic on N.J. Route 124 through Madison, Morristown, and Chatham will be heavy, with 4,000 parents and friends expected for ceremonies. Traffic and parking will be directed by Public Safety officers and the Madison Police Department. Much of the parking is on grass, so rain may make for slow parking and soft, wet footing for spectators. Please have your families plan accordingly.