Graduation Information for Faculty
This year's Commencement will be held at 9:00 a.m., May 15, 2009, in The Horseshoe of the University campus. In case of adverse weather, an alternate site and time has been arranged at the McAlister Field House (The Citadel), 11:00 a.m., that same day. Commencement Day Robing
7:30 to 8:00 a.m.
Go to the Basic Sciences building auditorium with your regalia. Commencement Day Line-up and Processional
8:20 a.m.
Faculty gather on the lawn between the Basic Sciences building and Ashley Avenue. 8:40 a.m.
Faculty Marshals assemble the faculty into two lines of approximately equal length without specific order by college or program. Marshals lead the procession to Ashley Avenue and fall in behind the last of the candidates when they pass. 9:00 a.m.
The Grand Marshal announces, "Let the procession begin." Accompanied by processional music, the candidates enter the Horseshoe in two columns. Marshals will lead candidates to proper seating row and seat. Be seated as they enter. Faculty Marshals will pause at the Horseshoe entrance until signalled to process. All rise when the faculty process. Faculty follow their Marshals to the center of the stage area and enter the rows on either side, moving to the following rows as indicated by the Marshal. They are followed by the Presidential Party which will occupy the first two rows. Commencement Program
Minister gives invocation. (All males remove hats during invocation. Hats are then replaced.) President offers his welcome and introduces the speaker, who gives the address. Conferring of Degrees at Commencement
The Vice-President for Academic Affairs (AAVP) announces honorary degrees, which are conferred by the President. The AAVP introduces the Dean of the College of Health Professions. As the name is being read, each candidate walks across the stage, receives a congratulatory handshake from the President and their Dean (in the center of the platform), walks across to the Chairman of the Board, receives a congratulatory folder, and shakes hands with the Chairman. After all candidates within the degree group have crossed the stage, the President goes to the microphone and requests that the candidates rise and then confers the degrees. The President signals the graduates to be seated. Next, the same procedure is repeated for each degree group with the exception of the MD/PhD candidates who remain on stage for the conferral. President introduces the President of the Joint Alumni Association. President congratulates graduates, thanks the speaker, and expresses appreciation to the audience for attending. Minister gives benediction. (All males remove hats. Hats are then replaced.) Graduates and faculty remain standing. Commencement Recessional
Recessional music begins. Presidential party exits first, then the faculty, and then the graduates. Those who entered last are the first to leave. After the faculty pass, the person nearest the aisle on the last two rows falls in immediately behind the faculty. Commencement Adverse Weather Plan
In the event of adverse weather, exercises will be held 11:00 a.m. at the Citadel's McAlister Field House. Upon authorization by the President and by 7:00 a.m., notices of the alternate site will be placed on campus; Deans' offices will be notified; area news media will be asked to make the announcement. 9:30 a.m.
Report with your regalia to The Citadel. Identifiable personnel will be there to direct you to your line-up site in Deas Hall (next to the Field House). The schedule will be the same as for the "On-Campus Plan." Commencement Sudden Downpour Plan
If a downpour occurs during the outdoor exercise, the President confers all degrees and dismisses the assemblage. | 