[MUSIC PLAYING]
MARLINA DUNCAN: Your academic journey, at least
this chapter of it, will culminate here
on Pembroke Field.
Hi, I'm Marlina Duncan, Associate Dean
at Diversity Initiatives at the graduate school.
I want to greet our doctoral students who
plan to complete their studies in May
and help you prepare for the day.
You will receive your diploma here
on Pembroke Field 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.
Please make sure your family and friends come to Pembroke
Field for your ceremony.
Parking is available on nearby streets
and at Hope High School.
So what's involved in commencement weekend?
All graduate students are required
to check in on Friday or Saturday,
between 9 AM and 4 PM, at the Graduate School in Horace
Mann at 47 George Street.
Pick up your name card and graduate school pen,
and get any last minute questions answered
on topics including how to wear regalia,
where to show up on Sunday, how to sign up for a free photo,
or to confirm your name pronunciation.
Friday night, you were invited to attend the Graduate Student
Council's celebration toasts, with President Paxson
and Dean Campbell, followed by the campus
dance on the main green.
On Saturday, hear the Horace Mann medallist,
who is a Brown Graduate School alumni,
speak at a morning forum or choose
from a variety of other forums to attend throughout the day.
Saturday afternoon, join us on Pembroke Green, on the Pembroke
Campus near Alumni Hall, for a reception from 4:00 to 5:30 PM.
Join graduate school deans and staff
and alums for light snacks and drinks
to celebrate your / bring your families,
register to win some prizes, and enjoy
some time with fellow students before you
go your separate ways.
On Sunday, commencement 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.
Please arrive at 9:00 AM at the tent on Simmons Quad.
This allows us to coordinate with the registrar
and have the right diplomas on hand.
Look for the graduate school degree signs.
Graduate school staff and volunteers,
who will be wearing red polos, can help direct you and answer
questions.
Your spot is based on alphabetical ordering.
Because the line is quite long, you
will receive a number via email, which
will help you find your spot more quickly on Sunday.
Once underway, the procession pathway
will take you to the main green, through the Van Winkle Gates,
across campus, down Thayer Street, up to Pembroke Field.
Master's students will process to a different location.
Your family and friends can watch
the procession via simulcast before the ceremony begins.
We kindly ask them to wait until 9 AM to find seats
on Pembroke Field.
We will show the activity at the Van Winkle
Gates on the video screens.
The doctoral ceremony begins as soon
as the procession arrives at Pembroke Field
and graduates are seated.
The ceremony includes an invocation, a student speaker,
awards presentations, the conferring of degrees,
and a benediction.
Graduate students receive their diplomas on Pembroke Field.
Here's how the ceremony works.
When it is time to hand out diplomas,
you'll be called to the stage.
Please note, no backpacks or packages
will be allowed on the stage.
You will approach the stage with the hood over the left arm
and wait to hear your name before ascending the steps.
Cross to 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.
Smile-- the ceremony is being live streamed around the world.
After hooding, continue across the stage
and descend the stairs.
Follow staff direction to the photo station
for a professional photo, then return to your chair.
At the end of the ceremony, please
stay in place at your seat while the stage party exits.
A staff member will signal that you may exit.
All students may then proceed to the university ceremony, which
starts around 1:15 PM on the main green.
There are reserved seats for graduate students
in section five.
Family members for all degrees should fill in
around the edges.
The president presides at this one hour ceremony.
Honorary degrees are awarded, a doctoral degree recipient
and a master's degree recipient accept symbolic degrees
on behalf of graduate students.
Departments then host graduation ceremonies
that begin at 2:30 PM.
Many involve graduate students.
Please ask your program administrator
whether you should attend.
A list of locations is provided on the commencement website.
Let's talk about regalia.
This traditional attire is required
and it adds to the pageantry of the event.
During the procession and the ceremony,
carry the hood over your left arm.
Be sure to have it unbuttoned to allow for the hood
to be easily placed over your head and onto your shoulders.
A quick note about respecting the tradition-- please
don't decorate your regalia.
No balloons, tape, or other embellishments.
You may pick up your regalia after May 16
if it was ordered by April 15.
It must be returned to the bookstore by Monday, May 27.
Finally, some tips for the day.
Make sure you eat a good breakfast in the morning
before you arrive, as it will be a long day.
Bring your own reusable water bottle--
there will be water stations around campus--
and plan to wear comfortable shoes.
Thanks for taking time to learn about commencement day.
Congratulations.
I hope it's a great day for you.