Winter  Commencement 2011   

The Winter Commencement ceremony for graduate students is 7 p.m. Dec. 16 in the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center and the ceremony for undergraduates is 11 a.m. Dec. 17 in Heiges Field House.  

More than 100 graduate students and approximately 350 undergraduate students are expected to participate in their respective ceremony. 

Graduates will receive more detailed information on their participation when they purchase their caps and gown from the University Store beginning in mid-October. Information for family and other guests will be available here in late-October. 

Graduates are reminded that if they have a family member or guest with a special need for seating, they should make arrangements for those individuals by contacting the Office of University Communications and Marketing by e-mail at  sunews@ship.edu by Friday, Dec. 9. The information should include the guest’s name and the name of one person who will sit with him/her. Please indicate the specific special need and if your guest will use a wheelchair.  This request must be made by the graduate. An interpreter (signer) will be at the ceremony. 

The university works with Grad Images, a professional firm that takes photographs as each graduate receives a handshake from university President Bill Ruud. Family and guests are not allowed to approach the stage to photograph graduates. A roster with each graduate’s name and address will be sent to Grad Images and the firm will then contact the graduate concerning interest in purchasing photos. The firm’s website is www.gradimages.com.  

Anyone with questions about the undergraduate program is asked to contact Dr. Peter M. Gigliotti, Commencement Committee chair, at 477-1202 or via e-mail at sunews@ship.edu.