Commencement 2010

Important Graduation Deadlines

  • October 14, 2011 – Complete your graduation paperwork. A $50 fine will be imposed for graduates who do not register before the October deadline. This applies to associate's, bachelor's and master's degree recipients.
  • November 1, 2011 –Pay your $15 diploma fee.
  • February 15, 2012Order and pay for your cap and gown to receive a $5 discount.
  • March 2, 2012Submit your application, if interested, to represent the Class of 2011 as the featured student speaker at the University-wide Commencement Ceremony.
  • TBA - Audition to sing the National Anthem at the University Commencement Ceremony. Open auditions, open to all SUU students, will be held at 3 p.m. in the Centrum Arena.
  • April 23, 2012 - Submit Request for ADA accommodations for yourself or your guests to Carmen Alldredge in SUU's Disability Services (435.865.8022 - alldredge@suu.edu)
  • Spring 2012 – Attend an exit loan interview (for student loan borrowers only).

Graduate's Checklist

  • Complete graduation paperwork and pay the required fees with the Registrar's/Cashier's Office.
  • Attend the Pre-Grad Fair on February 1, 2012, to finalize your graduation eligibility.
  • Pay for your cap and gown, (required for your participation in graduation and convocation ceremonies) before February 15, 2012 through the Cashier’s Office.
    Master’s degree grads: Your gown and hood differ from that of undergraduates; please make sure that you indicate you are a graduate student when you order and pay for your regalia.
  • Purchase announcements.
  • Make hotel reservations for out-of-town guests.
  • Update your contact info through mySUU with a valid permanent mailing address (for diploma mailing) and a current, non-student e-mail address you will use once you leave SUU.
  • Complete the 2012 Graduate Biographical Report (link available in the Spring)
  • Pick up your cap and gown at the Graduation Fair in the Alumni House on Thursday, May 3 & Friday, May 4, 2012 Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. & Friday from 8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
    Students graduating with honors: Be sure to pick up your medallions during the Grad Fair from the Office of the VP of Student Activities table. Meanwhile, you may contact Barb Gray (435.586.7710 or gray@suu.edu) with questions about your honors medallion(s).

Class of 2012 Graduation Schedule

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Pre-Grad Fair - Starlight Room

  • Finalize your graduation eligibility
  • Schedule an exit loan interview (for those with student loans)
  • Order graduation announcements and keepsakes
  • Receive important graduation instructions
  • Consult with SUU’s Academic and Career Development Center
  • Learn about graduate opportunities at SUU

Thursday, May 3 & Friday, May 4, 2012

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Th) & 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (F) - Graduation Fair - SUU Alumni House (300 West University Blvd.)

  • Pick up your cap and gown
  • Collect honors medallions/cords
  • Register with the Alumni Association
  • Enjoy refreshments and one last visit with friends and professors before leaving campus

Friday, May 4, 2012

11:00 a.m. - University Commencement Processional Line-up - Upper Quad

All SUU graduates, dressed in cap and gown, should report to the following locations to participate in the formal Commencement processional that will march across campus and into the University-wide ceremony (see lineup locations):

  • Business Students: south side of the Adams Theatre
  • Education Students: east entrance of the Teacher Education Building
  • Humanities & Social Sciences Students: northeast corner of the Braithwaite Building
  • Performing & Visual Arts Students: northeast corner of the Music Building
  • College of Science and Engineering: south sidewalk bordering the Upper Quad
  • Master’s Degree Candidates: northwest corner of the Adams Theatre
  • Associate Degree Recipients: northeast corner of the Braithwaite Building (you are part of the College of HSS)
  • Success Academy Graduates: south sidewalk bordering the Upper Quad (you are part of the College of Science and Engineering)

In case of inclement weather, lineup will be in the Sharwan Smith Student Center.

12:00 p.m. – University-wide Commencement Ceremony - Centrum Arena (109 South 800 West)

The main Commencement ceremony is a formal celebration for all SUU graduates, guests, faculty and staff. This ceremony features SUU’s keynote commencement speaker, the awarding of this year’s honorary doctorate degrees, an address from SUU President Michael T. Benson, the formal moving of the tassel, an address from the Class of 2012 student speaker and special recognitions of select students, faculty and staff.

  • All associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates are expected to attend unless excused by the Registrar’s Office (435.586.7715).
  • Graduates should march into the ceremony in cap and gown as part of the formal processional across campus.
  • No tickets needed - celebrate with all your family and friends.

1:30 p.m. – Graduation Celebration - Multipurpose Quad

Visit with your classmates and professors one last time before leaving campus and join with the entire Thunderbird community in celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2012.

  • All graduates and their guests are invited
  • Free to all those celebrating the Class of 2012
  • Live entertainment and refreshments
  • Celebration begins immediately following the Commencement ceremony

Friday, May 4, 2012 & Saturday, May 5, 2012

Individual College Convocations

You will individually walk across the stage and receive your diploma at your college’s individual convocation ceremony. Here, you will sit in a group with your fellow graduates after marching in as a class and will be recognized individually in front of your family and friends.

All graduates should line up 1 hour before the start of their college convocation.

  • Friday, May 4, 2012
    • 3:30 p.m. — College of Science & Engineering, Centrum Arena
    • 5:30 p.m. — School of Business, Centrum Arena
  • Saturday, May 5, 2012
    • 9:00 a.m. — College of Performing & Visual Arts, Randall L. Jones Theatre
    • 9:00 a.m. — College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Centrum Arena
    • 11:00 a.m. — College of Education, Centrum Arena

Instructions for all Graduates

  • Graduates are expected to attend graduation unless excused by the Registrar (435.586.7715).
  • Caps and gowns are required for all graduates to participate in both the University-wide and individual college ceremonies.
  • SUU does not hold a rehearsal for graduation ceremonies.
  • Please arrive to the graduate line-up for both the University Commencement ceremony and your college convocation with enough time receive special instructions.
    Associate degree graduates: Join with the College of Humanities and Social Science for the processional, University Commencement and individual college convocation. Success Academy students: You should walk with the College of Science and will receive your degree at that convocation.
  • Graduates who have spouses or immediate family graduating in different colleges at the same time may request to have their degrees awarded in the same college to accommodate relatives who wish to see both graduations. Please call the Registrar’s Office (435-586-1997) to make arrangements.
  • Only graduates (no children) are allowed to participate in the processional and the awarding of diplomas.
  • Graduates or their guests who need special ADA accommodations should contact SUU’s Disability Services (435.865.8022 or alldredge@suu.edu).

Graduation Regalia

  • All students must be dressed in a cap and gown to participate in SUU’s graduation festivities.
  • Tassels begin on the right side and are moved to the left upon graduation.
  • Students graduating with honors: You will receive your medallions at the Grad Fair. Look for the Student Activities table. In the meantime, direct your questions about honors medallions to Barb Gray (435.586.7710 or gray@suu.edu).
  • Graduate students: You will wear a black tassel and black hood trimmed in your college color (below). Do not wear your hood to the University-wide Commencement ceremony – instead, drape your hood over your forearm. You will be ceremoniously hooded in your individual college convocation.
  • Undergraduate students: Your colored tassel will identify your College:

    • Business: Drab
    • Education: Light Blue
    • HSS: White
    • PVA: Brown
    • Science & Engineering: Gold
    • Associate's: White

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Last Update: Monday, January 30, 2012