GRADUATES – PLEASE READ
Information on Line-up, Procession, Seating and Receiving Your
Diploma
Line-up
– Shingleton Gymnasium, beginning at 8:45 a.m.
• Graduates will line up in two lines -- the Right Column
and the Left Column.
• Academic Affairs will e-mail the line-up list by program
the last day or two before graduation. Please review your name,
your program, and your degree prior to graduation. Provide the
registrar’s office with any changes at least 24 hour prior
to graduation. Also look at the list and become familiar with
where your program is in the commencement line up.
• As you enter the gymnasium, you will be given a 3X5 card
with your name, your program, and your honors listed on the card.
You will hand this card to Vice President Grigsby before you walk
across the stage.
• While you don’t need to remain in alphabetic order,
we ask that you remain in your program throughout graduation.
Procession
• Graduation staff members will lead each column to the
location where the procession will begin.
• The Platform party will process down the stairs around
the SU. Students will follow the platform party. Faculty will
follow the graduates.
• Graduates will walk in lines of two.
• The two columns will walk in front of the stage and continue
toward the seating area.
Seating
• Graduates in the Left Column will be in the left section
facing the stage, starting with Row AA; graduates in the Right
Column will be in the right section facing the stage, starting
with Row A.
• Graduate seating will actually begin in the second row
on each side; special guests of the university will be seated
in the front row on each side.
Crossing
the Stage and Receiving Your Diploma*
• Following the presentation of honorary degrees, Vice President
Grigsby will ask you to rise by your school, for example, “Will
the candidates from the School of Arts and Sciences please rise.”
On his verbal cue, all graduates from that school will be directed
by a graduation staff member to move from their seats and down
the sidewalk. Another staff member will guide them to the area
immediately off-stage. Staff members will direct each row of graduates
to leave their seats at the appropriate time.
• Present your 3X5 card to Vice President Grigsby and say
your name to him as you would like it pronounced. Walk across
stage as Vice President Grigsby reads your name, your program,
and your honors.
• As you cross the stage, you will first shake hands with
your dean or director. Then, take a few steps and pause for President
Fitzsimmons to shake your hand and hand you a symbolic degree*.
Your actual degree will come in the mail within two weeks.
*Note about Diplomas - To increase accuracy and to prevent
damage to the diplomas, Shenandoah University will no longer be
handing out official degrees at the ceremony. The official degrees
will be mailed to the address provided by the student within two
weeks after graduation as long as the student has met all necessary
obligations and requirements.
• Important
– President Fitzsimmons will extend her right
hand to shake yours, and extend her left hand holding the symbolic
degree, below her right hand. Try to practice this before Saturday,
August 16 – extend your right hand to shake hands with the
president and extend your left hand below your right to receive
your symbolic degree.
• While you are shaking hands, she will pause so that the
photographer can take your picture.
• After you receive your symbolic degree, there may be a
representative from the Board of Trustees on stage to also shake
your hand. If not, continue across the stage and then turn left
toward the seating area.
• To return to your seats, walk to the aisle between the
rows of seats and re-enter your row. You may not be in the same
seat, so simply take the seat next to the graduate ahead of you.
Recessional
• Graduates will be the last to leave the seating area,
following the platform party and faculty.
• As the last faculty member in each column reaches the
first rows of graduates, the graduate in the aisle seat in Row
A and Row AA will follow that faculty member.
• Leaving their rows, the two columns will walk toward the
stage. At the stage, in lines of two, students will turn right
at the stage and proceed down the sidewalk toward the SU.
• Please stay in line until you have reached the reception
area by the SU.
