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2008 Commencement Information
Friday and Saturday, May 2nd and 3rd, 2008
Information for Graudates
Commencement Week Schedule
- Wednesday, April 30
- 5:30 p.m.: Senior Picnic on the lawn at the
President’s house
- Friday, May 2
- 11 a.m.–12 noon: Free Brunch for seniors in dining hall
- 12 noon–2 p.m. Senior Rehearsal—Chapel
*If you have not picked up your cap and gown, you must do so at the Bookstore this day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- 4 p.m.: Social Work Pinning Ceremony—Thoresen
Recital Hall in the Springer Center for Music. Applebee Art Gallery open 4 to 5 p.m.
- 5–6:30 p.m.: *Senior Reception—McClelland Hall
Brief program at 5:30 p.m. (Reservations Requested - Click here to download the form or contact the Office of Student Life at (217) 479-7123.)
- 7–8:30 p.m.: Nurses' Pinning Ceremony—Chapel
- Saturday, May 3
- 9:30 a.m.: Seniors line up in the Library
(In case of rain, line up in the Chapel)
- 10 a.m.: Baccalaureate Service—Chapel
Tickets not needed.
Senior picture taken immediately after Baccalaureate on Chapel steps.
- 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: *Luncheon—McClelland Hall
Seniors are guests; reservations and
tickets are required for all. (Click here to download the form or contact the Office of Student Life at (217) 479-7123.)
- 1 p.m.: Seniors line up in the Library
(In case of rain, line up in the Chapel)
- 1:30 p.m.: Commencement Service—Chapel
TICKETS ARE NECESSARY for family and friends. You must complete the Financial Aid Exit interview to be eligible for tickets.
Reception following on McClelland lawn.
Commencement Ticket Information
There will be more than 130 graduates this year, and unfortunately the Chapel is not big enough to hold all those who want to celebrate with them. Nevertheless, most of the space in the Chapel will be reserved for guests of the graduating seniors.
HOW MANY TICKETS DO I GET?
7 (seven) Commencement tickets. You must complete the Financial Aid Exit Interview (see next column) in order to qualify for tickets.
ARE THESE RESERVED SEATS?
No, they are general admission, first come first served. However, everyone with a ticket will be guaranteed a seat. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
DO I NEED ONE FOR MYSELF?
No, participating seniors do not need tickets
WHERE DO I GET THEM?
Registrar’s office, Kathryn Hall 309.
WHEN DO I GET THEM?
Thursday, May 1, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Graduates who have not picked up tickets or made arrangements with Alice Dodson in the Registrar’s office by 4:30 p.m. May 1 will not be guaranteed guest tickets.
WHAT IF I'M NOT ON CAMPUS THEN?
Call us in advance, before May 1, and we’ll work out an alternative such as Senior Rehearsal Friday afternoon. Our number is (217) 479-7014; e-mail Alice.Dodson@mac.edu.
HOW DO I GET MORE TICKETS?
It may be possible for some students to get an additional ticket or two if absolutely necessary. The following techniques have been successful in the past. No guarantees, however!
- Ask other graduating seniors if they will give you a ticket. Post notes on bulletin boards or call seniors.
- Be present in the Registrar’s office on Thursday, May 1, as tickets are handed out, in case other seniors have extra tickets they would be willing to give to you.
- Tickets not picked up by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday will be made available at rehearsal Friday afternoon.
Photos and Videos
A professional photographer will take a picture of each graduate at the moment of receiving the diploma. A professional videographer will video the entire ceremony. Information on purchasing photos and videos will be announced later.
Parents and friends wishing to come forward and photograph graduates are welcome to do so. They should use the side aisles only; the center aisle is reserved for the graduates.
Final Requirements
Please complete the following before Commencement:
- Financial Aid Exit Interview—
Education Complex 104–105
Wednesday, March 26, at 4 p.m. or Thursday, March 27, at 4 p.m. (attend one; if you cannot, call (217) 479-7041 for an appointment at a different time)
- Library—Seniors must return all books, or pay fines for those they have lost, by Tuesday, April 29.
- Mail Center—Leave mail forwarding information by Tuesday, April 29.
Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Graduating in Absentia
If you are not planning to attend the Commencement ceremonies, you must let the Registrar’s office know. Please call Alice Dodson at (217) 479-7014 now.
Last-minute Emergencies
Should a last-minute emergency prevent you from attending, call (217) 479-7014 as soon as possible. If there is no answer, call the general College number, (217) 479-7000.
Eligibility for Graduation
Participation in Commencement depends upon successful completion of all general education requirements and departmental requirements, including courses in the current spring semester. Eligibility also depends on satisfying all outstanding accounts with the college. This means that all of your outstanding charges must be paid before you will be allowed to take part in the graduation ceremony. If you have any questions about your academic status and your eligibility for graduation, please come to the Records & Registration office, Kathryn 309, or phone us at (217) 479-7014. For your financial status ask at the Business Office, Kathryn basement, (217) 479-7006.
Students who have not completed all requirements for graduation by the end of the spring semester, but who are enrolled in courses for MacMurray May Term or the MacMurray summer session that will complete all their requirements, may participate in the Commencement ceremonies. They will walk with the graduates but be listed in a separate section of the Commencement program.
College Honors
Two kinds of honors are awarded at Commencement: general college honors and departmental honors.
Policies concerning college honors are stated on page 7 of the 2006-07 MacMurray catalog: “To qualify for honors, the last 60 hours must be completed at MacMurray. Transfer grades as well as MacMurray grades are included in calculating eligibility.” So your grade point average for college honors will include all the courses you have taken at any college. For all other purposes, only courses at MacMurray figure in your gpa.
If you have questions about your eligibility, you are welcome to ask the Registrar.
Departmental honors are available in many departments. If you are completing the work for such a program, you may wish to verify with your advisor that this information has been or will be turned in by Wednesday, April 30, to the Registrar’s office, Kathryn 309.
Caps, Gowns, and Clothing
If you haven’t already, you still have time to order cap and gown. Information is available from Judy Watt at the MacMurray Bookstore, (217) 479-7133.
As for the rest: Please keep in mind that this is a special occasion for your family and friends as well as yourself, and dress accordingly.
For women, we recommend a dark dress, or dark skirt with blouse, or dark dress pants with blouse. Because the procession goes across Rutledge lawn, we recommend flats rather than heels.
For men, we recommend dark pants and a dress shirt with necktie. We also recommend dark shoes.
For both men and women, please avoid jeans, tennis shoes, and open-toed shoes.
Important Links
Schedule of Events
Where to Stay
Reservation Form (for Senior Reception on May 2, 2008 and the Buffet Luncheon on May 3, 2008
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