GRADUATION LITURGY/BACCALAUREATE MASS ~ Saturday May 17th 9:00am, JBA
All graduates and their families are invited to participate in this Liturgical Celebration held in the Julia Ball Auditorium. Graduates may sit with their families.
Caps and gowns are worn for this Liturgy, however hoods are not worn. The liturgy will last approximately one hour. Light refreshments will be served following the liturgical celebration.
WHAT IS DATE AND TIME OF COMMENCEMENT?Commencement will take place on Loyola Hall parking lot on Saturday May 17 at 11:30am
Graduates begin to process at 11:00am.
WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE AND WHERE SHOULD I GO?
Graduates must arrive no later than 10:30am and should report to The Griffin Complex gymnasium
Staff will be on hand to assist you
Guests should arrive before 11:00am and go immediately to the graduation site
HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE CEREMONY TAKE?
The ceremony takes approximately 2 hours ~ if you are planning for a party or lunch afterwards you will be safe with a 3:00 start time.
WHAT ABOUT PARKING?
Parking on campus is on a first-come basis, and security personnel will be on hand to assist and direct you. Overflow parking will be at an off-site location minutes away and you will be bused to and from this location. Tickets are not needed for parking. For special needs parking please contact the graduation coordinator at graduation@gmc.edu for assistance by May 1, 2008.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES?
If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Disabilities Support Services Coordinator at 215-646-7300 x 427 before May 1, 2008.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL EVENTS FOR GRADUATES AND THEIR FAMILIES?
Graduates and their families are invited to the President’s Reception and Dance to be held on Friday evening May 16th, 8:30 pm in the Waldron Café Dining Hall. This is a wonderful opportunity for pictures and to meet one last time with your favorite faculty, staff or administrator as well as the President of the College before the ceremony the next day.
“Special Event for CLL Graduates ~ Monday May 12th from 6:00pm-7:00pm at Fort Washington Campus ~ Wine and Cheese Celebration. We hope you can join us.
DO YOU NEED ADMISSION TICKETS TO COMMENCEMENT?
All guests need a ticket for commencement. Each graduate may pick up a maximum of five tickets for commencement exercises at the Graduate Finale (information below)
Graduates are reminded to safeguard their tickets. Lost tickets will not be replaced. No admittance will be allowed to the commencement location without a ticket.
If you wish to enter a lottery for up to two additional tickets please do so by emailing your request to graduation@gmc.edu. Lottery winners will be notified via their campus e-mail on Tuesday May 13th.
In addition we will be web streaming the commencement ceremony
This is helpful for older family members or those living a distance away. This may be viewed from a home computer by accessing our website at www.gmc.edu/graduation. The web streaming will begin at 11:00am the day of commencement.
WHAT ABOUT ACADEMIC ATTIRE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS?
Caps, gowns, hoods, tickets and graduation announcements will be distributed at the
GRADUATE FINALE held on Tuesday May 13th 3:00pm-7:00pm in the Rotelle Lounge of the Griffin Complex.
IS THERE A GRADUATION FEE?
All graduates are required to pay a fee of $165. This must be paid to the Bursar’s Office in Campbell Hall by April 15. This fee covers the cost of the graduation ceremonies, your academic attire, yearbook, diploma and case as well as the maintenance of your college records.
MAY WE TAKE PICTURES OR VIDEO THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY?
A professional photographer will be taking photos as the President greets each graduate. This is the only photographer that will have access this close to the stage. Proofs of these photos will be mailed directly to your home. In addition we will have a videographer filming the entire ceremony ~ processional, commencement and recessional. A DVD copy of this will be available for you to order for the cost of $25.00 Please contact graduation@gmc.edu for information/order form.
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES
If you are a citizen of another country and would like to carry the nationally recognized flag of your country in the procession, please contact our Director of International Students at 215-641-5544.
DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION
Following the commencement ceremony and until 3:30pm, graduates may pick up their diplomas in the area were line up took place (gym). Tables will be marked Masters, Bachelors, Associates. If you are not attending the ceremony, you may pick up your diplomas starting Monday, May 19 in the Office of Academic Affairs in Connelly Faculty Center ~ 1st floor.
*INFORMATION FOR HONORS CONVOCATION*
The awarding of academic honors and student leadership awards will take place on Friday May 16th at 7:00pm in the Gymnasium
The following honors will be awarded:
*Program Honors ~ all Bachelor degree graduates with a 3.5 GPA in their major courses and are recommended by the department faculty.
*Professional Honors ~ awards given for clinical performance and student teaching
*Latin Honors ~ Bachelor degree students graduating with summa, magna, or cum laude will be recognized. This distinction will appear on your transcript and diploma. At the commencement ceremony, you will receive a medal with your diploma.
Associate degree students will be recognized verbally “with distinction” at the commencementceremony.
*Honor Societies ~ members of honor societies will be recognized.
**Students graduating in August 2008 and given permission to walk in the May ceremony are not eligible for academic awards.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: All honor recipients will be notified by your Dean, Department Chair or Academic Affairs the week of commencement. Student Services does not have access to this information.
WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE AND WHERE DO I GO?
GUESTS GO DIRECTLY TO THE GYM
GRADUATES GO DIRECTLY TO THE WALDRON CENTER NO LATER THAN 6:15PM
Directions and line up instructions will be give when you arrive in the Board Room (2nd floor)
Caps, gowns and tassels are worn for this ceremony - Hoods are not worn unless you have earned one from a previous degree
If you belong to an honor society and have received a cord please be sure to bring this ~ the graduation coordinators do not have these cords
