Graduation Information
Friday, May 16, 2008

Ceremony
The graduation ceremony is Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. It will last about two hours.

Reception
A reception for the graduates and their families will be held in Building C (College Center) Moraine Rooms (second floor) immediately following the ceremony.

Line-up
Graduates will assemble in caps and gowns in the first-floor hallway of Building A at 6:15 p.m.

Graduates will line up by degree (A.A./A.F.A., A.S., A.A.S., and Certificates). If you are not certain of what degree you will be earning, contact the Records Office in Building C at (708) 974-5730 (TTY for hearing impaired 708-974-9556).

You will line up in pairs without regard to height or any other factor. If you would like to sit next to a friend, line up one behind the other—not next to each other.

You will receive a reader’s card and pencil. This card will be used to announce your name as you walk across the stage.

Print your name twice on the card. The first printing should be literal; the second printing should be phonetic (how your name is pronounced). You also will mark off distinguishing features about yourself on the card. This helps the photographer ensure you receive the correct proof. Keep your card, and hand it to the person on stage who will announce your name. This card will be given to the photographer at the ceremony so that proofs of your photograph can be sent to you, if you provided your contact information.

Place your tassel on the right side of your cap. When all degrees are conferred, you will receive instructions from an official on the stage to move the tassel to the left side. You can wear only one tassel on your cap. If you are eligible to wear more than one, choose which tassel you prefer to wear. Please do not bring a purse or any other personal belongings with you into the gym.

Diplomas
You will walk across the stage to receive a cover for your diploma. Diplomas will be mailed six to eight weeks after graduation.

Recessional
At the end of the ceremony, you will exit in order from the gym to Building L. You will not be able to stop outside the gym doors. Please make arrangements to meet your family at the reception in Building C rather than outside the gym.

Guests
The doors will open at 6 p.m. Seating will be available in the bleachers with limited seating for handicapped guests on the gym floor. Please ask your guests to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the ceremony, as they will not be allowed to enter the gym during the processional. Handicapped guests should enter the gymnasium through the south doors. Refreshments are not allowed in the gym.

As an additional service to your guests, the Moraine Valley Bookstore will sell graduation gifts near the entrance to the gymnasium, while supplies last. Flower bouquets also will be sold at campus entrances.

Photos
Moraine Valley has made arrangements with Chappell Studio for a professional photographer to record the moment you are awarded your diploma. The full-color proof of this photo will be sent to you at no charge approximately one week after graduation. Enlargements will be available to you at a reasonable price. This service allows all students to have a photograph of their graduation.

Chappell Studio is now offering online viewing and ordering of graduation photos. Students and parents can pre- register their e-mail or mailing address information before the ceremony. They also can add up to six family members’ contact information to share the photo. You will be e-mailed as soon as the proofs are ready to view.

Photographs are not allowed to be taken from the aisles in the gymnasium. Please ask your guests to take all photographs, as well as videotapes, from their seats. A photo opportunity where graduates can pose in front of a Moraine Valley Commencement background will be available during the reception in the College Center.

Campus Construction and Parking
Because of campus construction projects underway, only handicapped parking will be allowed in the lot directly south of the gymnasium. Handicapped guests can access that lot from a driveway on the west side of campus across from Building P.

Graduates and guests are welcome to park in one of the other 13 parking lots on campus. Signs will direct guests to the gym from each parking lot entrance.

For More Information
For further information, contact the office of College and Community Relations, Room D106, (708) 974-5375 (TTY for the hearing impaired 708-974-9556), horstmeyer@morainevalley.edu.
 

Graduation Ticket Information
Moraine Valley Community College expects a great number of graduates. Consequently, the college provides additional seating in the Fine and Performing Arts Center’s Dorothy Menker Theater, located on campus. The graduation ceremony will be televised live on a 15’ by 20’ screen. The air-conditioned Dorothy Menker Theater can accommodate 550 guests in its comfortable, theater-style seating. Handicapped seating also is available.

In accordance with these accommodations, different graduation tickets are being distributed, starting April 28 (see below).

Gym Tickets
Graduates can receive up to three tickets for gymnasium seating when they purchase their caps and gowns in the Bookstore.

Gym tickets look like this:

Dorothy Menker Theater Tickets
Graduates can receive additional tickets for seating in the Dorothy Menker Theater by visiting the College and Community Relations Office, D106, after April 28, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dorothy Menker Theater tickets look like this:

Graduation news release