URSINUS COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT

Transcription

1 URSINUS COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT

2 GREETINGS Dear Families of Graduating Seniors, I am delighted to invite you to join the Ursinus College community on Friday, May 16, for the 141st Commencement exercises, preceded by the Baccalaureate service on May 15. We hope that you will be able to join us for these joyous occasions that celebrate a milestone in your student s life, and in yours. This brochure should answer most questions regarding the festivities. However, if you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to call or the contacts listed herein. Graduation ceremonies are the culmination of the rigorous process of liberal education at Ursinus an education that will serve students well as they build on that foundation for success in life and in work. Thank you for entrusting us with the education of your student. We hope this is the continuation of a long connection between Ursinus College and the Class of 2014, as this outstanding class joins an illustrious group of more than 15,000 Ursinus alumni worldwide. Best wishes, Bobby Fong, Ph.D. President 3

3 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THURSDAY, MAY 15 5:20 p.m.... Seniors assemble and robe in the Blackbox Studio Theater. (Seniors please note: You do not wear hoods and caps for Baccalaureate.) 5:45 p.m.... Baccalaureate Processional March Seniors begin from The Kaleidoscope Plaza. 6:00 p.m.... The Baccalaureate Service Remarks by Rev. Gail E. Bowman, Chaplain, Berea College, Berea, Kentucky Bomberger Memorial Hall 7:00 p.m.... Reception Family, friends, and faculty are invited to a reception to toast the graduating Class of Entertainment provided by the UC Jazz Combo. Olin Plaza (Rain location: Wismer Center) 9:00 p.m.... Senior Celebration Graduating seniors and faculty are invited to an exclusive party hosted by the senior class officers. Lower Wismer Lounge FRIDAY, MAY 16 9:00 a.m.... B.A. Candidates assemble and robe in Olin Auditorium B.S. Candidates assemble and robe in Bomberger Auditorium If you are unable to attend Commencement ceremonies, please notify the Dean s Office at or ext :00 a.m.... Alumni Reunion Class Representatives meet in Olin 107 Faculty members meet in Olin 101 & :20 a.m.... Commencement Processional Begins Seniors march from Olin Plaza, past Bomberger Hall to the tented seating area. 10:00 a.m....the 141 st Commencement Ceremony Speaker: Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Front Lawn of the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art Noon...Commencement Reception Members of the Class of 2014 and their families, alumni, faculty, staff and guests are invited. Olin Plaza (Rain location: Wismer Center) 3:00 p.m.... College housing closes for all graduating students. 2 URSINUS.EDU/COMMENCEMENT MOBILE: M.URSINUS.EDU/COMMENCEMENT 3

4 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PARKING AND SHUTTLES Where can I park? Please plan to arrive minutes early to allow time to park and make your way to the ceremonies. You may enter the College from the Main Entrance near Fifth Avenue or the West Entrance at Ninth Avenue. For a map of campus, visit Baccalaureate: Parking is available in both the Wismer and West lots. Commencement: The Borough of Collegeville will be closing Main Street at 5th Avenue beginning at 10 a.m. Vehicles will not be permitted to stop on Main Street to drop off guests. Handicapped parking is in the Corson Hall parking lot and golf cart shuttles from all parking areas will be available. Parking will be available in the Corson, Wismer, and West parking lots and on selected fields near the ceremony site. Staff will be stationed on the roadways and throughout campus to provide directions. Where do those with physical disabilities park? Parking is available in the Corson Hall parking lot, accessible from Main Street in Collegeville. Golf cart shuttles will be available on both Thursday evening and Friday morning to provide transportation for those needing assistance. If you or a guest require special assistance, please contact Maureen Cawley at or mcawley@ursinus.edu. THE BACCALAUREATE SERVICE The Baccalaureate Service is an important academic ritual that dates back to the fifteenth century. At Ursinus College, this inspirational, interfaith celebration acknowledges our graduates accomplishments and recognizes their future responsibilities as educated citizens. As part of a long and treasured tradition, graduates will gather as a class for one last time in Bomberger Memorial Hall on Thursday, May 15, at 6 p.m. for songs and readings that represent the many faith traditions of our student body. Families are warmly welcomed to join in the celebration; however seating in Bomberger Memorial Hall is limited. Tickets will be made available at 8 a.m. on April 1 at ursinus.edu/tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, and are limited to two tickets per family. Anyone who does not have a ticket is invited to view a simulcast of the celebration in Olin Auditorium. A reception for all on Olin Plaza immediately follows the ceremony. THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY How many guests can attend Commencement? Do we need tickets? No tickets are necessary for the Commencement ceremony. You may bring as many guests as you wish. Where may parents sit? Parents and guests of students may sit in any areas not marked as reserved. Please ask an usher if you are unsure. Special seating is available for guests with disabilities. How long does the ceremony last? The ceremony lasts approximately two hours and should be finished by noon. Where do participants and graduates march during the recessional? Where can we meet them? Ursinus has a very long and revered tradition of what is affectionately known as the gauntlet. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the faculty marshals will direct the recessional. The faculty, staff and guests of honor will exit the platform first and march down the center aisle. Once they reach the end of the tent, faculty and staff members will form two columns, one on each side, marking the pathway for graduates to follow. As graduates file past, faculty and staff will bid them congratulations and farewell. Families and other guests are requested not to break the gauntlet and instead to await their graduates at the end of the line or in another predetermined location. What if I cannot attend the ceremony? For families and friends unable to attend the ceremony, the 141 st Commencement of Ursinus College will be streamed live on the day of the event. Please visit the Ursinus College website on the day of the event for instructions. What if it rains? The ceremony will still take place outside on the front lawn of the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art. The area is tented but you may want to bring an umbrella! 4 URSINUS.EDU/COMMENCEMENT MOBILE: M.URSINUS.EDU/COMMENCEMENT 5

5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FACILITIES Where is the Bookstore? The Ursinus College Bookstore is located on the lower level of the Wismer Center. It is open Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where can I find rest rooms? Men s and women s rest rooms and wheelchair accessible rest rooms are located in Corson Hall, Bomberger Memorial Hall, Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art and the Wismer Center. Where can I get something to drink? Complimentary water and coffee stations will be located around the perimeter of the Commencement seating area. PHOTOGRAPHS/VIDEO How do I get a copy of the photographs taken by the professional photographer? A professional photographer from Legacy Photographics will photograph each graduate receiving his or her diploma. They will mail a free color proof to the home of every graduating senior in addition to an link to their proofs for online ordering. How do I purchase a copy of the Commencement Ceremony video? The College has engaged Quality Services to videotape the entire ceremony. To reserve your copy of Ursinus College s 2014 Commencement Ceremony, download and complete the order form at: For any questions regarding the DVD, please call Quality Services directly at LEGACY FAMILIES Alumni parents and alumni relatives are invited to a special photography session, with their graduating senior, for display in Ursinus College publications. The photographer will be stationed near the Berman Museum steps (facing Olin Plaza). In the event of rain, the photographer will be stationed in the covered area of Olin Hall facing the Wismer Center. The Alumni Office will contact you with further details. THE BEAR NECESSITIES FOR GRADS Seniors should plan to visit the Bear Necessities event (formerly Grad Fair) on Friday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lower Wismer Lounge to pick up caps and gowns and yearbooks. In addition, they can connect with Career & Professional Development staff and learn about alumni perks and how to stay involved with UC post-graduation. OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS Where do students pick up and drop off regalia (caps and gowns), and what is the cost? Graduates may pick up their regalia at the Bear Necessities for Grads event, Friday, May 2, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lower Wismer Lounge. If a graduate is unable to attend, regalia may be picked up at the Ursinus College Bookstore. Gowns are to be returned to Olin Auditorium or Bomberger Memorial Hall after the ceremony between noon and 3 p.m. There is no charge for the rental. How should I dress? Commencement is planned for the outdoors, so dress comfortably and wear shoes suitable for walking on grass. What time do seniors need to be out of College housing? Please note that seniors must be out of College housing by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 16. Is there a lost-and-found on campus? Lost items will be turned in at Campus Safety, which is located in the Wismer Center. Inquiries about lost items can be made in person or by calling Is medical assistance available? In the event of a medical emergency, please contact the Ursinus Campus Safety Dept. immediately. Call ext if you are inside a building or from your cellphone. An ambulance is on standby during Commencement hours should medical services be necessary. Where can I buy Commencement gifts and announcements? A variety of wonderful Commencement gifts, from diploma frames to announcements, are available through the Ursinus Bookstore You may also order personalized graduation announcements directly through Herff Jones at or 6 URSINUS.EDU/COMMENCEMENT MOBILE: M.URSINUS.EDU/COMMENCEMENT 7

6 FOR YOUR INFORMATION FACILITIES HOURS Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art: ANNUAL STUDENT EXHIBITION 2014: April 16 - May 16, 2014 Thursday a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday a.m. - 4 p.m. College Switchboard: Thursday :30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday :30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Bookstore: Thursday a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday a.m. - 3 p.m. LOCAL LODGING AND RESTAURANTS A block of rooms has been reserved at the following hotels for Commencement. For special rates when making your reservations, please indicate that you are attending Ursinus Commencement events. Spring is a busy season for local hotels. You are strongly encouraged to make your reservations early. Nearby Lodging Staybridge Suites 88 Anchor Parkway Royersford, PA Local Restaurants Appalachian Brewing Co. 50 W. Third Avenue Hampton Inn & Suites 100 Cresson Blvd. Phoenixville/Oaks, PA Bonjung Japanese Restaurant 50 W. 3rd Ave Hilton Garden Inn Valley Forge/Oaks 500 Cresson Blvd. Oaks, PA DaVinci s Pub 215 E. Main Street Courtyard by Marriott 600 Campus Drive For a complete list of local restaurants and accommodations, consult 8 URSINUS.EDU/COMMENCEMENT Black Lab Bistro 248 Bridge Street Phoenixville, PA Iron Hill Brewery 130 East Bridge Street Phoenixville, PA Majolica Restaurant 258 Bridge Street Phoenixville, PA

7 601 E. Main Street