Trinity University will hold the Winter Commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 19, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in Laurie Auditorium.  The President’s reception will immediately follow the ceremony and will be held in the Great Hall.

Tickets are not required for guests at the commencement ceremony or for the commencement reception. 

Announcements

Visit Herff-Jones’ secure Web site www.herff-jones.com/college/graduation to order personalized commencement announcements and related items.

Photographs

A professional photographer will photograph the degree candidates as they cross the platform.  The photographer will mail proofs to the permanent address of each student and will include instructions for ordering photographs.  The photographer is not affiliated with Trinity University and will work directly with each student.

Photographer: Chuck Gibbons
Phone Number: 210-573-6869
Email Address: Chuck@GibbonsPhotos.com
Web Address: www.gibbonsphotos.com

Diplomas

Official diplomas will be mailed to the address indicated by the candidate on the Application for Graduation (or the permanent address, if no address is indicated) approximately four to six weeks after the commencement ceremony.  If this information needs to be updated, please do so by contacting Stefanie Beard in writing before December 18, 2009, in person, by e-mailing Stefanie.Beard@trinity.edu, or by fax to 210-999-7202.

Location & Arrival

B.A., B.S., and B.M candidates will assemble in the Ruth Taylor Recital Hall no later than 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2009. 

There is no rehearsal.  The marshals will give you full instructions on Saturday, December 19, 2009.

Students who are not in line by 9:15 a.m. will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.

Vestments

Beginning December 7, 2009, caps and gowns (regalia) should be picked up from the University Bookstore during regular business hours.

Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm

Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Saturday 8:00 am-4:30 pm

Students may order their caps and gowns online at www.herff-jones.com/college/graduation through November 2, 2009, or by contacting the Bookstore at 210-999-7227 or bookstore@trinity.edu through November 14, 2009.  Gowns must be returned to the Bookstore following the ceremony.

Caps — Caps should be worn level, not tilted to either side or to the back.  Men should follow the lead of the President in removing and replacing caps during the ceremony.  Women wear their caps throughout the ceremony.  The tassels are to be worn on the right and changed to the left when the degrees are conferred.

Gowns – Dark clothing should be worn with the regalia.  Women should wear dark dresses and shoes.  Men should wear dark suits, shoes, and socks, and white shirts with dark neckties.  A suit coat or sport coat is required as the gown will cover the arms only to the elbows.

Adornments – Items such as flowers, decorative jewelry, masking tape, and other non-academic adornments are not appropriate for the commencement ceremony and will not be permitted on the cap or gown.

Honors Stoles

Candidates who meet the University’s requirements to receive Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude) will wear a stole symbolizing The President’s Award for Academic Excellence.  Stoles will be distributed during the check-in process on the morning of the ceremony. 

Line of March

The marshals will place candidates in correct marching order and show them the route to the Auditorium.  The marshal’s directions should be followed explicitly!  Candidates should not try to keep in step with the music; rather, they should walk evenly and slowly using short steps and staying in single file.  The distance between candidates should remain consistent and a sufficient pace maintained to prevent long gaps or jams from occurring in the line.

General Comment

The commencement ceremony is a traditional, formal exercise and as such should be conducted with dignity, splendor, and respect for fellow classmates and guests.  Please refrain from greeting friends and/or relatives during the processional and recessional.  Candidates must leave purses and other valuables at home or with their guests—such items should not be carried in the processional or left in the assembly room.  The university is not responsible for items left unattended.