COMMENCEMENT

School of Graduate Studies

Important Information for Graduates

KEY DATES AND LOCATIONS AT A GLANCE

Doctoral Fitting Days: March 5, Gund Hall, School of Law; March 19, Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Research Building, School of Medicine. Details.

Prior to Commencement Ticket Pick Up Location: Nord Hall, 6th Floor

Prior to Commencement Cap and Gown Pick Up Location: University Bookstore

Convocation Robing Location and Line Up (Graduates): Nord Hall Atrium

University Convocation: Veale Center, 9:30 a.m. This is a ticketed event.
Diploma Ceremony: Veale Center, 1:45 p.m.
Speaker: Dean Charles E. Rozek
Reception: University Hospitals Atrium, following Convocation.

Post Commencement Cap and Gown Drop Off Location: University Bookstore
Commencement Coordinators: Rachel Begley and Natalie Roberts, gsgrad@case.edu, (216) 368-4390.

ATTENTION BS/MS, BS/MA & IGS GRADUATES
CLICK HERE FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION & OPTIONS

Graduate Commencement Exercises

Congratulations graduates! You and your guests are invited to attend Case Western Reserve University's annual commencement exercises, which will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2009. For the School of Graduate Studies there will be three separate events, and you are welcome to attend any and all of them. If you plan to march in the University-wide Convocation and/or attend your diploma ceremony, you must register online.

University-wide Convocation

Convocation for all University graduates will be held in Veale Center at 9:30 a.m. The ceremony includes the presentation of honorary degrees, a commencement address, and the conferring of degrees by the President of the University. No diplomas are given out at this ceremony. Tickets are required for guests to attend this ceremony. If you plan to attend this event, you must register online.

Online registration is open from March 1, 2009 8:00am EST until April 1, 2009 5:00pm EDT. Click Here to register.

Check-in/Robing

If you plan to attend the University-Wide Convocation, please arrive to the Nord Hall Lobby by 8:15 a.m. Continental breakfast will be available. All graduates will be lined up by degree group, and signs will direct you where to assemble. A faculty marshal will assemble your degree group and lead you to the Veale Center and to your seating. Commencement books will be placed on each graduate's chair.

Ceremony

When the degrees are to be conferred, Dean Charles Rozek and Dean Norman Tien will present the graduates by degree group to the President. Note to Engineers: only those students in the Practice-Oriented Master's program receiving M.E. degrees will be presented by Norman Tien. All other engineering students will be presented by Dean Rozek. Rise and remain standing until the President confers the degree, and then be seated for the remainder of the ceremony. Your faculty marshal will direct you when it is time to recess.

Guests

Guests are not permitted in the robing area. Please direct them to the Veale Center where the ceremony will be held.

Guest Tickets

The University-Wide Convocation is a ticketed event. Tickets are required for guests to attend this ceremony. All graduates planning to attend must register online by April 1, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. EST to reserve tickets for this event.

Once a graduate has registered they are guaranteed two guest tickets for Convocation. Graduates who are participating in Convocation do not need tickets for themselves. Tickets for August '08 and January'09 graduates will be mailed to the address given on the Commencement Registration. For May'09 graduates: Tickets may be picked up at Graduate Studies (Nord Hall, 6th floor) sometime after April 20, 2009. Information about ticket pick up will be emailed to the graduates.

Extra Tickets

Extra tickets beyond the "guaranteed allotments" are subject to venue capacity and are NOT guaranteed. Register NOW to request extra University-wide Convocation tickets. The deadline to register for extra tickets is April 27, 2009. You will be advised via email of the fulfillment of your ticket requests after April 27, 2009. Guests without tickets will be seated in Emerson Physical Education Center located adjacent to the Veale Center. Emerson will be equipped with large-screen video projection, providing an excellent view of the Convocation ceremony.

School of Graduate Studies Reception

All graduates and their guests are invited to attend The School of Graduate Studies reception in the atrium of University Hospitals from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on commencement day. A light lunch will be provided at the reception. You may bring an unlimited number of guests. To participate in this reception, we ask that graduates register online. The deadline to register is April 27, 2009. Register NOW for the reception.

School of Graduate Studies Diploma Ceremony

For the class of 2009, the diploma ceremony will be held in Veale Center at 1:45 p.m. and end at approximately 3:15 p.m. Tickets are not required to attend this ceremony. During this ceremony each graduates name is announced, they walk across the stage and receive a diploma (or certificate) from the dean. Ph.D. and D.M.A. graduates are also hooded at this event.

Graduate Check-in

Graduates will gather in Horsburgh Gym in the Emerson Physical Education Center (immediately adjacent to Veale). Please arrive to Horsburgh gym by 1:00 p.m. for line-up. When arriving to Veale, you should make a right to enter into Horsburgh Gym, go to the check-in tables, and receive a white index card listing your name and degree group. Graduates will then be directed to the line-up area. Please note that the success of the ceremony depends on your punctuality and cooperation.

THE WHITE INDEX CARD IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE CEREMONY. The card will be collected later by your faculty marshal, and is the mechanism for having your name read and diploma presented. Once you receive your name card, proceed to the area that is designated for your degree group. Your marshal will collect your card. The cards will be alphabetized and the marshal will then put you in alphabetical order. Once you are placed in line, please do not leave your place in line.

Ceremony Instructions

The deans and faculty will lead the procession into Veale. Graduates will march double file, and be seated in the far left and right sections toward the front of the stage. Your faculty marshal will direct you into your seat. When it is time for your degree group to receive diplomas, your faculty marshal will direct you to the stage. There are two sets of stairs leading up to the stage, one on each side of the stage. When your name is called, you will go up the stairs on the right, walk across the stage to receive your diploma from Dean Rozek, pass in front of the reader, and exit the stage via the left steps, and then return to your seat along with the other graduates. Ph.D./D.M.A. students: you will wait at the edge of the stage to be hooded before crossing the stage to receive your diploma. If you wish, family members may join you to walk across the stage. When you line up before ascending the stage stairs, they can join you in the queue. Family members must return to their seats after they cross the stage. Family members will not be permitted to sit with the graduates. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the deans and faculty will lead the recession, followed by the graduates by degree group. Again, your faculty marshal will direct you. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE DURING THE CEREMONY. Please show respect and courtesy to your fellow graduates.

If you are receiving a Ph.D./D.M.A. you will be seated in the right section. You will be carrying your hood on your arm. Please make certain that your hood is unbuttoned. When your name is called to receive your diploma, stop at the edge of the stage to be hooded. Give your hood to Dr. Kenney (or your advisor) that will be standing at the edge of the stage. It will help the person hooding you if you bend your knees (without leaning forward) to lower yourself so the hood can be placed over your head. For some of you, your faculty adviser will hood you or greet you as you cross the stage.

Diplomas

August and January graduates have already received their diplomas, but will receive a certificate on stage. May graduates attending the diploma ceremony will receive their diploma on stage. The staff on stage has approximately five seconds to locate your diploma. If you receive the wrong diploma, or diploma cover only, you will be able to pick up your diploma at the Office of Graduate Studies, Nord Hall 6th floor, Monday through Friday 8:30 - 5:00. If you have an outstanding balance with the University, you will not receive your diploma until the balance has been cleared.

May graduates that are unable to attend the diploma ceremony will receive their diplomas via U.S. mail following Commencement. Diplomas will be mailed to the forwarding address provided by the student on their graduation application. To update your address, please send an email to gsgrad@case.edu.

Hooding by Advisors

Ph.D./D.M.A. students: Your advisor may hood you on stage. Advisors will march in the Faculty Procession and meet you on stage when it is time to be hooded. If your advisor will be attending the graduate ceremony, he or she must register online on this Web site:

Online registration is open from March 1, 2009 8:00am EST until April 1, 2009 5:00pm EDT. Click Here to register.

Family on Stage

Family members may join graduates as they walk across the stage. When lining up before ascending the stage, family members can join the graduate in the queue. Family members must return to their seats after they cross the stage. Family members will not be permitted to sit with the graduate students.

Appropriate Academic Attire

Graduates must wear academic regalia (cap, gown and hood) to march in the procession. No adornment of any kind is worn outside the robe or cap and no item (i.e., purse or backpack) may be carried. A fanny pack worn under the gown around the waist is a good solution to carry such items as keys, comb, money, and personal identification. It's a long day with lots of foot travel, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

When you register to participate in Commencement, your order for regalia is handled as part of the registration process. Registration begins March 1st and ends April 1st. Click here for regalia pricing information. All inquiries related to academic regalia are handled through the University Bookstore which is located in the Thwing Center on Euclid Avenue. The bookstore's telephone number is (216) 368-2650.

Master's graduates must purchase academic regalia: cap, gown, and hood. No rental option is available. Master's students may purchase their regalia during Grad Fair (March 25-26) or anytime after. Master's students keep all academic regalia.

Ph.D./D.M.A. graduates may either rent or purchase their academic regalia: tam, hood, and gown. If renting, you will pay your rental fee and pick up your regalia at the University Bookstore during the week of May 11 - 15. Click here for regalia pricing information. Ph.D./D.M.A. students may return their rental regalia to the bookstore following commencement ceremonies on Sunday, or anytime the following week (Ph.D. students may keep the tassel and the tam).

PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SUNDAY TO PICK UP YOUR REGALIA IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE CONVOCATION. The academic procession to the Veale Center for Convocation will begin before the bookstore opens. Please try on your regalia before arriving to make certain it fits properly and is not wrinkled. You may find that you need bobby pins to secure your cap. Also check your hood and tassel to make certain that it is not damaged and is the correct color.

Hood & Tassel Colors: Tassels are worn on the left side. The degree group colors are as follows:

Photographs

A professional photographer from Chappell Studios will take a picture of each graduate receiving his or her diploma. Graduates will receive a free proof of this photo via email within 5 to 7 days after graduation. Place orders or obtain answers to questions at http://www.gradimages.com/Register.cfm.

Since professional photographs will be available, family members and guests are encouraged to remain in their seats, relax and enjoy the ceremony. Please advise family members to remain in their seats unless they intend to go on stage with you.

DVD Orders

DVD recordings of the Case Western Reserve University 2009 Commencement Ceremonies in the Veale Center will be available for purchase. DVD orders MUST be received by Friday, May 29, 2009. Obtain a DVD Order Form.

Graduation Announcements

Convocation Announcements and Graduate Studies Diploma Ceremony inserts that will serve as a means of informing friends and relatives of your achievement can be picked up (free of charge) at the School of Graduate Studies, Nord Hall 6th Floor.

Special Accommodations

If you require any special accommodations for disabled graduates or guests, be sure to let us know in advance. Contact the School of Graduate Studies at 216-368-4390 or e-mail gsgrad@case.edu if you have any further questions regarding the diploma ceremony.

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES AWARDS CEREMONY

The fourth annual graduate awards ceremony will be held this year to recognize graduate students that have received awards during the 2008-09 academic year.  Graduate awardees and guests will be invited to attend the ceremony, which will be held in late April. 

Contacts

The School of Graduate Studies Commencement Coordinators are Rachel Begley and Natalie Roberts, gsgrad@case.edu, (216) 368-4390.