[MUSIC PLAYING]
MARLINA DUNCAN: Your academic journey--
at least this part of it-- will culminate here,
at Simmons Quad.
Hi, I'm Marlina Duncan, Associate Dean
of Diversity Initiatives at the graduate school.
I want to greet our graduate students who
plan to complete their studies in May
and help you prepare for that day.
You'll received your diploma here
on Simmons Quad at the graduate school doctoral commencement
ceremony.
Believe me, it will look different then.
You will experience the pageantry of the university
procession and be surrounded by fellow graduates, family,
and friends.
This video will cover what to wear,
why our line up instructions are so important, which steps
are mandatory, and how to receive
your diploma at the ceremony.
We expect to see you at rehearsal on Saturday
at 2:30 PM on Simmons Quad.
A reception for graduate students follows.
On Sunday, commencement day begins
with everyone lining up for the great university procession.
Only eligible graduate students who
participate in the procession will
receive their actual diplomas at the graduate school
doctoral ceremony.
It will be presented to you if you
meet all the academic and ceremony
requirements, including registering
to attend commencement and checking
in at the lineup on Waterman Street.
This allows us to coordinate with the registrar
and have the right diploma on hand.
Look for the graduate school signs
and check in with the PhD line organizer,
who will be wearing a red polo.
Your spot is based on alphabetical ordering.
Because the line is quite long, you'll
receive a number in advance, just like Southwest Airlines.
It will help you find your spot more quickly on Sunday.
Again, you must arrive on time at 9:00 AM and check in.
The procession pathway will take you to the main green,
through the Van Wickle gates, and on to Simmons Quad.
Master students will also go through the Van Wickle gates,
but they will process to a different field.
Make sure your guests know to come
to Simmons Quad for the doctoral ceremony,
entering from Thayer Street via the arch,
or from the main green.
The doctoral ceremony begins as soon
as the procession arrives at Simmons Quad
and we get you seated under the tent.
The ceremony includes an invocation, a student speaker,
awards presentations, and the conferring of degrees.
Graduate students receive their very own diplomas
on Simmons Quad.
The ceremony will conclude with the benediction.
Some departments have their own graduation ceremonies
that begin at 2:30 PM.
Ask your department administrator
whether you should attend.
Due to the timing, your friends and family
will not be able to watch both the procession and the ceremony
in person.
We kindly ask them to wait until 9:00 AM to seek seating
on Simmons Quad.
We will show the activity at the Van Wickle gates
on video screens.
Let's talk about regalia.
The traditional attire is required
and adds to the pageantry of the event.
PhD students will be hooded the ceremony.
During the procession and the ceremony
carry the hood over your left arm.
We'll show you a hooding in a moment.
A quick note about respecting the tradition.
Please don't decorate your regalia.
No balloons, tape, or other embellishments.
Here's how the ceremony works.
When it is time to hand out diplomas,
you'll be called on to the stage.
No backpacks or packages will be allowed on the stage.
You will approach the stage with the hood over the left arm.
You'll wait to hear your name after ascending the steps.
Cross the center of the stage, where the fellow is seated.
Shake the fellow's hand with your right hand,
take the diploma with your left hand,
approach the hooding station where
two deans will be standing.
After hooding, you move off the stage and descend the stairs.
Head straight to the photo station,
past the faculty seating, pause to be photographed, then
return to your chair.
When you cross the stage, be sure to smile.
The ceremony is being livestreamed to your friends
and family around the world.
At the end of the ceremony, please
stay in place at your seat while the stage party exits,
and until a staff member cues you to exit.
Set up a meeting point with your family members
outside of the tent.
All students may then attend the university ceremony,
which starts around 1:15 on the main green.
There are reserved seats for graduate students.
Family members must fill in around the edges.
The president presides at this one hour ceremony
on the main green.
Honorary degrees are awarded.
A doctoral degree recipient and a master's degree recipient
accept symbolic degrees on behalf of graduate students.
Finally, some tips for the day.
Make sure you eat a good breakfast in the morning
before you arrive, as it will be a very long day.
Bring your own reusable water bottle,
which can be refilled, and plan to wear comfortable shoes.
Thanks for taking time to learn more about commencement day.
Congratulations.
I hope it's a great day for you.