ULM Commencement

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What to expect on Commencement Day:

CHECK-IN

 

1. All candidates will enter the front entrance of the upper concourse of the Coliseum to line up on Commencement day.

Please promptly arrive 1 hour before your college ceremony start time.

 

2. Candidates will check in once inside the Coliseum and receive the name cards (give this card to the announcer). 

Pencils will be available to write phonetic spelling on your name card for the announcer. Qualifying undergraduate candidates will receive Latin Honor cords with their name card at check-in. All 4.0 GPA undergraduate students must pick up their medallion at the check-in desk.

3. Candidates will line up as directed by the Marshals.

*There will be signs to indicate where each group of candidates (doctoral, graduate, bachelor) will assemble to form marching lines.

*There will be marshals with each group of candidates to assist, organize, and lead.

 

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PROCESSIONAL

 

4. Once the ceremony starts, marshals will lead candidates down the stairwells to begin the processional.

Bachelor candidates will enter the Coliseum first and sit closest to the stage, followed by graduate candidates and doctoral candidates.

 

5. Candidates will march in after the leading marshals and turn to help welcome the marching faculty and stage guests.

Candidates will remain standing until after the Invocation.

*There will be faculty marshals on the Coliseum floor to lead candidates throughout each ceremony.

 

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CONFERRING OF DEGREES

 

6. When degrees are conferred the Provost will ask each degree to stand.

Example: Will the candidates for the Bachelor’s Degree, please stand? The Provost will announce, "On behalf of the undergraduate faculty, it is my pleasure to introduce to you these successful candidates for the Bachelor’s Degree."  After this time, all candidates receiving a bachelor’s degree would stand, and remain standing until you are asked to be seated.

 

7. Faculty marshals will signal at the end of each row to stand and proceed to the stage.

Stage processional order is as follows: Bachelors, Graduate, and Doctoral

 

8. Approach the stage, present your name card to the announcer, and pause on the final step. Only proceed across the stage when your name is announced.

 

9. The College Dean will hand your diploma cover to you, and then you will quickly pause for a picture with the President before exiting the stage.

 

 

*Major professors will join doctoral candidates on the stage for hooding.

 

10. Once you exit the stage, stop for the photographer, march back to your seat, and stay standing until the entire row has returned to the floor.

 

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RECESSIONAL

Once all degrees have been conferred, you will be requested to stand. While the audience takes their seats, you should remain standing for the recessional. Please refrain from exiting the Coliseum until the stage guests have descended, and the faculty on the floor have completed their march out. Kindly await the marshal's instructions.

 

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