Commencement Ceremonies

If you are participating in the ceremony, the following information will be helpful.

LINE-UP
You are asked to arrive at the Alliant Energy Center and check in by 1:15. You will be able to store your valuables and put on your gown. You will pick up a Commencement program and then be directed to find your place in the processional line alphabetically within your major. We ask that you be on time as we will be lining up over 150 people for Winter and over 200 people for Spring commencement. A card with your name and degree on it will be given to you when you line up for the processional. When you walk up to the platform during the ceremony, you will hand your card to the Dean at the podium, who will read out your name. Before the ceremony begins, she'll need to know how to pronounce your name correctly.

HAT & GOWN
Take your gown out of the packaging a day before the ceremony and lightly steam or iron it so that it hangs well and is free of wrinkles. Wear your mortarboard so that the flat top is parallel to the ground. (This may require a few bobby pins.) The tassel should hang on the right. Turning the tassel to the left is part of the ceremony.

CORDS & HOODS
Undergraduate cords hang around your neck on top of your gown.

Masters students should wear their hoods (the long circular velvet/satin piece). Instructions for putting on the hood are enclosed in the package from the bookstore.

Doctoral students should not wear theirs hoods, but carry them draped naturally over their arms as they process into the hall. When they go up to the platform to accept their diplomas the hood will be placed on their shoulders by their advisors as part of the ceremony.

THE CEREMONY
At 2:00 when the processional begins, ushers will lead you to your seat in the hall.

The ceremony itself will proceed as follows:

Prelude
Processional
Invocation
Welcome
Student Speakers
Commencement Address
Presentation of Baccalaureate Candidates for Degrees
Presentation of Master’s Candidates for Degrees
Presentation of Doctorate Candidates and hooding

At the point in the ceremony when diplomas are given out, an usher will cue you when to stand and where to line up to go up to the stage. Your name will be read out. You will then walk up the center steps of the stage, walk across the stage toward the President to accept your diploma. Accept your diploma with your left hand; shake hands with the President using your right hand. Smile for the camera (there will be a photographer taking pictures that will be mailed to the address you have on file), and walk off the stage on the left. An individual photo will be taken after you exit the stage. Ushers will direct you back to your seat.