Class of 2012

To: The Senior Class
From: Michael McAlear, Marshal of the Faculty
Subj: Instructions for Commencement

Congratulations – Commencement is just a few days away.

Diploma pick-up will be held on Friday, May 25th between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the North College Lobby (bring a photo i.d. card). When you get your “real” diploma, you will also be given a number – REMEMBER YOUR NUMBER!!! The number determines (alphabetically) where you will stand in line for the Commencement procession. Tell friends and relatives your number. There is a map that will show them which isle you will walk down.

Please report promptly to the top of Foss Hill on Sunday morning by 10:00 a.m. You will be lined up in alphabetical order around the observatory. Look for numbered signs every 75 feet or so, for example:

1-50 Abrams to Blasenheim               51-100 Bliss to Chung etc.

The number you were given will tell you where to line up. At each sign there will be a faculty marshal who will hand you a card (with your name and number on it). Keep the card! It will assist you in lining up correctly and as a control (for alphabetical order) as you line up to receive your diploma covers. Your name will not be read out during the ceremony without a card.

The procession will begin promptly at 10:45, moving down Foss Hill to Wyllys Avenue. When the first of the faculty reach the bottom of the hill, the faculty ranks will divide to create an aisle of honor through which you will march. Follow your marshal down the hill and enjoy the professorial applause – job well done!

Once down the hill, continue to follow your faculty marshal toward the library, proceeding through the large tent, and various aisles. Different groups will go up different aisles for simultaneous seating.

You will be awarded your degrees after the conferring of the graduate degrees. Rob Rosenthal, Provost of the College, will intone the formula: “Mr. President, I have the honor to present these 723 Candidates to receive at your hand Wesleyan’s degree of Bachelor of Arts.” You will then all stand while the president confers the degree, ending with the words: “In testimony of your achievement, I am pleased and proud to present your diplomas.”

Guided by the faculty marshals, the seniors will then file up to the platform in alphabetical order to receive the diploma cover and a warm presidential handshake. As you go up the stairs to the platform, you will hand your card to the faculty marshals stationed there. He or she and Dean Phillips will then confirm that you are in order and make sure it is your name that is proclaimed as you file past the president.

At the end of the ceremony, only the platform party and faculty will form the recessional. Stay in your seats until they have exited.

In the unlikely event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held under the big tent on Andrus. There will be an announcement made by email to that effect by Saturday afternoon. In this case there will be no procession. Please report to the tent by 10 a.m. There will be numbered signs in the tent with faculty marshals standing nearby handing out numbered cards. After getting your card go directly to your seat.

If you arrive late and have no card, you may still be able to have your name read. Place yourself alphabetically in the line and, as you file up to the platform, tell your name to the faculty marshal at the bottom of the steps. He or she may be able to find your card and insert you into the list (No guarantees!)

Have a wonderful day.

Michael A. McAlear
Faculty Marshal