Contact Information

Paul Lehmann
Director of Student Activities

(315) 792-3036

2008 Graduate Student Commencement Information



When is the Hooding Ceremony & Commencement?


The 2008 Commencement will be held on Sunday, May 18, according to the following schedule:

1. Graduate Hooding Ceremony: 8:30 a.m. in the Clark Athletics Center. A light continental breakfast will be served in the Clark Athletics Center at 8:00 a.m. The ceremony will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.  You do not need to order a hood, it will be provided for you, see the page on caps and gowns for more information on the times and location.  There is no limit as to the number of guests you have attend the hooding ceremony.

 
2. Transportation to Commencement Ceremony: For those who do not wish to use private transportation, free buses are available to bring graduates and their guests from Utica College to the site of the Commencement Ceremony. Buses will leave every few minutes from the circle in front of Strebel Student Center, starting at 9:30-10:30 a.m. and will return there following the ceremony.


3.  Commencement Rehearsal:  Saturday, May 12th at 1:00 p.m. in the Clark Athletic Center.

4. Commencement Ceremony: The Commencement Ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. sharp in the Utica Memorial Auditorium, Oriskany Boulevard, Utica. The Auditorium is located just west of Genesee Street, the main thoroughfare through the City of Utica.

The Utica Memorial Auditorium seats several thousand, so there is room for as many people as you care to invite.

Who is Eligible to Participate?


To be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony, graduate students must have completed all of the requirements for their degree and must have submitted a completed Degree Approval Form no later than May 1, to the assistant vice president of academic affairs in the School of Graduate & Extended Studies Office. Students who have not fully completed all requirements for their degree may not participate in the commencement ceremony.

Where May I Obtain My Cap & Gown?



Caps and gowns are provided by the College. They may be picked up in the Student Activities Office on the first floor of the Strebel Student Center during the week of May 12-16 between 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily.  They may also be picked up on the morning of Commencement between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

What is the Hooding Ceremony?



In recognition of their academic achievement, upon the successful completion of their degree programs graduate students are accorded the honor of wearing academic hoods in varying colors. A tradition dating to the Middle Ages, the color on the facing of the hood denotes the discipline in which the degree is awarded. The color of the lining represents the institution from which the degree was awarded, in this case the orange and blue of Utica College.

May I Take Photographs?



You and your guests are welcome to take as many photographs at the Commencement Ceremonies as you like. There will be a professional photographer at the Utica Memorial Auditorium to take photographs of all graduates as they receive their degrees. Within ten days you will receive a proof in the mail. There is no obligation whatever to order copies of these photos, but if you choose to do so just follow the instructions on the card enclosed with the proofs.

What if I Have Question?



If you have further questions, contact the School of Graduate and Extended Studies by telephone at (315) 792.3001.