Commencement Day of Events

8:00 am
Check-in

All Graduation Candidates must report to the gym floor in the Haynes-Prim Pavilion to check in on Saturday, May 11, beginning at 8:00 a.m.

During check-in, you will be given a card listing your name, major and expected honors (if any). On this card you will be required to write down the phonetic pronunciation of your name. There will be staff to assist you. You must hang onto this card. You will hand the name card to a Menlo staff member during the ceremony when you reach the stage entrance.

Please leave purses and valuables with your family or friends as there will be no secure area in which to leave these items while you are participating in the ceremony. Menlo College assumes no liability for lost or stolen items. Staff will be available to assist you in getting into your gown, hood, and cap. The tassel should hang on the right side of your cap and your hood should be draped over your right arm.

8:15 am
Group Photos

At approximately 8:15 a.m., class pictures will begin. Student marshals will escort your major cohort to the photo station. Please be advised that there is a strict schedule for pictures and your promptness in reporting to the gym on time is critical. There will be no make-ups if you miss your picture(s).

10:00 am
Assembly

We will begin lining up for commencement at 10:00 a.m. There will be signs in the gym designating assembly areas for each group by major. Be sure you have your reading card – it is the only information the reader will have to assist with the pronunciation of your name.

11:00 am
Commencement Ceremony Begins

Procession into the Quad-Once all Graduation Candidates are assembled by major, the procession will begin. The President and Menlo College Trustees will lead, followed by the faculty and staff, and then all of the Graduation Candidates. Student marshals will assist all the groups during the ceremony.

Welcome-Everyone will stand for the welcome. Graduation Candidates are to remain standing until the Trustees are seated on stage. President Jim Kelly and members of the Board of Trustees will take their places on stage to present and accept the graduating Class of 2011-2012 for the conferral of degrees. After the conferral, you are to be seated until you are called forward.

Ceremony Procedures-Graduation Candidates will be directed to the stage by a student marshal. You will walk to the stage and present the name card, face up, to the reader. After your name is announced, you will walk to center stage and turn to face the audience for the hooding ceremony. The hood will be taken from your right arm and placed over your shoulders.

Once hooded, you will proceed to President Kelly to be presented with your diploma cover. You will receive your diploma cover with your left hand and shake the President’s hand with your right hand.  A photo will be taken as you accept your diploma from the President.

After you receive your diploma cover, proceed to the stairs at the front of the stage and, while walking down the steps, turn your tassel from the right side of your cap to the left. Return to your seat.

Please note: Graduates will have reserved seating and that family and loved ones will not be permitted in the graduate area.  Graduation Marshals will be on hand to assist you throughout the ceremony. 

Recessional-After all of the degrees have been conferred, President Kelly will present a few closing remarks and the recessional music will begin. Once the President, Board of Trustees and faculty have exited the stage and seating area, you are to recess to the back of the Quad and join your families and friends.

Immediately following Ceremony
President's Reception

A reception will be held immediately following the Commencement Ceremony. Signs will be posted to direct you to the reception area at the front of the College. All graduates and their families are invited to attend.