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Congratulations, Graduates!

Graduation speaker: Senator Jason Carter 

We are pleased by your commitment to your education and academic success, and we are looking forward to celebrating your accomplishments at 11:00 am, May 4, 2013 in the Storm Dome.  While you are working and studying to finish your final classes, also make sure you’ve taken care of the following details so your graduation day is as memorable and special as you’ve always imagined it would be.

Are you going to graduate?

• Have you filed your graduation application and paid the fee?  http://gsw.edu/Assets/AcademicResources/StudentForms/GraduationApplication.pdf
  
  
• Are you in process of completing all remaining requirements?

If not, your first stop is the Registrar!  If your graduation date has changed, contact the Registrar’s Office immediately (229-928-1331).

What do you need to do before the big day?

• Double-check your address on RAIN.  We must have your correct address to send you your diploma.  If your address differs from the one listed in RAIN or will change prior to graduation, please notify Lois Oliver, Assistant Registrar, immediately at lois.oliver@gsw.edu and complete a Change of Address form, Go on, check right now!
   
• Order your regalia for the big day.  Deadline to order is April 1.  If you plan to walk across the stage and receive your diploma, you need regalia.  If you are earning a Master’s or Specialist degree, you will need a hood in addition to the cap and gown. The color of your hood represents your degree, so be sure to fill in the information correctly. Caps and gowns are only available by ordering online. To be certain you have the right regalia, please place your order at: www.herffjones.com/college/graduation
  
  
• Personalized graduation announcements and other memorabilia can be ordered online from Herff Jones. Orders for announcements or accessories may be charged to credit card or debit card and will be delivered directly to the address you provide. Order here: www.herffjones.com/college/graduation.  Diploma frames are also available online:  https://www.framingsuccess.com/framing2/showplin@ELEVATOR.FXP?sessionid=2UN0PVO3W
  
  
• Help us help you!  If any you need any physical accommodations for graduation, or if you would like to graduate in abstentia (that means you want to be recognized at the ceremony even though you can’t be there.). Contact the Assistant Registrar at Lois.Oliver@gsw.edu right away.

What can you expect on graduation day?

All graduates are invited to a Graduation Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in the GSW student dining hall (doors open at 8:15 am). Honor graduates and other recognitions will be presented at this time. This event is a very special opportunity to visit with faculty and fellow students for the last time before you move on in your career or to graduate school.  Space will allow for graduates only at this occasion. 

There will be no rehearsal for graduation, so how will you know what to do?
In order to ensure that you are in the correct place and that you have all necessary instructions, please report to the Intramural Gym located in the Student Success Center no later than 10:15 a.m. on May 4.

What should I bring with me? 
Be sure to have your cap and gown with you when you arrive.  Do not bring anything else with you– no purse, coat, cell phone, or camera, etc. The Intramural Gym will not be secure after you leave for the ceremony and you are not permitted to bring any items with you into the ceremony. 

Make sure you are dressed appropriately. 
Graduates must wear cap and gown.  To make sure you have the right regalia please order from www.herffjones.com/college/graduation. Hoods for Master’s and Specialist degree are included in your order.  All candidates wear the tassel on the left side for the ceremony.  Do not attach anything to your cap.  You will not be allowed to march if your cap has anything on it.  No stoles or cords can be worn unless from an organization that has received prior permission from the GSW Graduation Committee, such as honor societies. (See list of approved societies below and contact your advisor for information on receiving your cord or stole.)  

How about under that cap and gown?
Women can wear neutral or dark hose and dark shoes with dresses or skirts, or dark pants, socks and shoes.  Nothing is to be worn high on the neck, nor is a collar to be worn which overlaps the robe. Any jewelry should be simple and small, if worn at all.  Men are to wear white shirts, ties, dark slacks, dark socks and dark shoes.  Coats are optional.  Nothing is to be carried such as books, flowers, purses, cell phones, cameras or programs.  A program will be placed in your chair.  You will carry only a small identification card indicating your name and degree.

What should I tell my family and friends?

The doors to the Convocation Hall will close at 10:55 am.
There will be plenty of seating for guests attending the graduation ceremony and tickets are not needed, but we do recommend family arrive early for the best seating. Late entry is not allowed as it will disrupt the procession of students and faculty.  Late comers will be directed to a room where they can watch the ceremony streaming live, but they cannot enter the Convocation Hall. 

Please remind family and friends about expectations for celebrating your achievement.  You have worked hard to achieve your goal and every student who walks across the stage on graduation day deserves celebration.  While we welcome well-deserved applause, loud cheers or any kind of noisemakers are not appropriate.  These disruptions often drowned out the names of other graduates walking across the stage, and every GSW graduate deserves to hear his or her name read as that prized degree is awarded.  Please let your family and friends know that loud cheers and noisemakers are not allowed, and anyone disrupting the ceremony may be asked to leave.  We promise, after every student has crossed the stage, we will all cheer!

Help your family and friends plan for parking.  Police Officers will be assisting with parking. Plan to enter the Convocation Hall (Storm Dome) from the North Parking Lot.  If you have family members who need accommodations, they can be dropped off at the North Parking Lot doors.  Handicapped parking is available in the North Lot (between the Student Success Center and the baseball field).  There is also parking available in the lots by Business, History and Political Science Building, the Education Center, the Library and Southwestern Oaks.  Shuttles will run between these buildings and the Storm Dome. 

Still have questions?

I’ll be glad to answer your questions.  Contact Dr. Tate, Associate Vice President of Academic Affair at Helen.tate@gsw.edu.

Now, get back to the books because if you don’t successfully pass all your requirements, you won’t be walking in May. 

Let the countdown begin!