UPDATE ON COMMENCEMENT PLANS - COMMENCEMENT MOVED TO MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM
Dear Graduates,
We have been closely monitoring the weather conditions this week and while we were hoping and praying that we could make it work outside, we are making the call to move the ceremony into Memorial Gymnasium, in the Jones Physical Education Complex.
As you know, our original plan was to be on the Library Lawn. However, after all the rain this past week, the lawn became too wet to set up chairs. Our next plan was moving to Bulldog Stadium, but after consulting the National Weather Service information specific to the TLU area, rain chances for this Saturday are currently 80% throughout most of the day, with a minor drop to 70% at 7 p.m. Thunder and lightning are likely from 1-9 p.m. on Saturday. Not only does this forecast hinder the possibility of an outdoor ceremony (either on the lawn or at the stadium), but it also impedes setup of sound and staging equipment earlier in the day.
I know this is disappointing, but please know that Memorial Gym will be set up to work well for this event. We can fit more than twice as many people in Memorial Gym as we can in Jackson Auditorium, which is why we are choosing this location.
Here are a few reminders and notes:
- Please pick up your rain tickets in the TLU Bookstore if you have not already done so.
- No additional tickets are available. Each graduate should have 7 tickets for family and friends.
- We will open the doors to Memoriam Gym at 6 p.m. and allow tickets holders to enter.
- Just before the ceremony begins and after ticket holders have been seated, we will allow non-ticket holders entry, if any seats remain.
- Handicapped seating is available on the floor of the gym.
- The parking lot adjacent to the Rinn Field House and a section of the library parking lot will be designated as handicap parking.
- The parking lot adjacent to the Rinn Field House will also be the drop-off location for those requiring assistance.
- The event will be livestreamed at https://www.tlu.edu/events/spring-graduation-2023.
- The Alumni Student Center will be open for seating and the event will be livestreamed on the TV in the Graf Lounge.
- Graduates are reminded to arrive at the Tostengard Activity Center in the Jones Physical Education Complex at 5:45 for photos, instructions and lining up.
We know this is not an ideal situation, but we promise that it will be a beautiful and meaningful ceremony. Congratulations on your achievement!
Susan Rinn
SPRING COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION
Congratulations on your scheduled graduation from Texas Lutheran University! This memorandum provides information about the May 13 Commencement activities. Please read these instructions carefully as this will be the only communication you receive and there will be no rehearsals for these events.
KEY DATES:
- Monday, March 20– Graduation announcements, caps and gown will be available for purchase at the TLU Bookstore.
- Wednesday, April 26 (3-6 p.m.) -- Grad Gear Up! (Dunne Conference Center)
This is your opportunity to take care of all things pertaining to graduation at one location. Verify the reading of your name at the ceremony and on your diploma, wrap up loose ends with the business and financial aid offices, pick up your rain tickets, and take care of any other important graduation business.
BACCALAUREATE SERVICE
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
Time: 2 p.m.
Place: Jackson Auditorium
Baccalaureate is a service of worship which celebrates the graduates. Participation is encouraged, but not required. Report to the Weston Center Studio Theatre by 1:40 p.m. to line up for the processional to Jackson Auditorium. Wear your gown, but not your cap. Do not wear any honor cords or medallions that you may receive from an honor society or other organization. These are not worn until the commencement ceremony that evening. The faculty marshals will be present to assist with the line-up. There is no individual order for lining up other than to have the program participants go first, followed by the faculty, then the graduates.
The crucifer will lead the processional into the auditorium. The faculty marshals will direct the faculty, graduates, and platform party to their respective seats. Remain standing in place until the signal to be seated.
For the recessional, the crucifer will lead the way out. The platform party, graduates and faculty will follow as directed by the faculty marshals.
MASTER’S PROGRAM HOODING CEREMONY
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Chapel of the Abiding Presence
Graduates who are to receive a master’s hood at Spring Commencement will be contacted directly by your program advisor with details regarding the hooding ceremony.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Library Lawn
The stage will be set up directly in front of the library, with the lawn between the Library and Tschoepe Hall as the seating area. There will be plenty of seating for family, friends and invited guests. Tickets will not be used, except in the event of rain. Each graduate will be given 7 “rain tickets”, which will be used if the ceremony is moved to Memorial Gym due to inclement weather. More information will be sent out regarding rain plans as we get closer and as needed.
For Commencement on the Library Lawn, report to Tostengard Activity Center by 5:45 p.m. for lining up for the processional, last minute instructions, clarification of the pronunciation of names, and picture taking. Diplomas will also be distributed at line-up, which you will carry across the stage with you. The faculty marshals will be present to assist with the line-up and charts will be posted along the formation area.
At 6:55 p.m., the crucifer will lead the procession from the Tostengard Activity Center to the Library Lawn. The faculty marshals will direct the faculty, graduates, and platform party to their respective seats. Remain standing in place until the signal to be seated. If someone is missing from the assigned space on the seating chart, leave that seat open as the person may arrive late.
When it is time to present the diplomas, listen for President Cottrell to ask Dr. Ferguson, Vice President for Academic Affairs, to present the candidates. Dr. Ferguson will read a line, which ends “...will please rise.” Do so as a group. The president will speak a few more lines and then Dr. Ferguson will ask the candidates to “present themselves as their names are called.” A faculty marshal will direct you, row by row, to the steps on the right side of the stage. Proceed to the top step and wait for your name to be called. Mr. Bob Oliver, chair of the Board of Regents, will shake your hand as you proceed across the stage. He will also present university honor cords (e.g., summa cum laude) to those eligible for one. You will cross the stage and Dr. Cottrell will shake your hand while you pose for a photo by the professional photographer. You may sit down as soon as you return to your seat.
After the benediction, the crucifer will lead the recessional to the Victory Bell. The platform party, graduates and faculty will follow as directed by the faculty marshals. When you reach the Victory Bell, feel free to ring it and celebrate your new status as a TLU graduate.
Note: For your convenience on graduation day, the TLU Bookstore will be open from
1 - 8:30 p.m. Lucky’s Snack Bar in the ASC will be open prior to graduation from 5-7 p.m. with water, sodas, coffee, and snacks.
For general questions about graduation, please feel free to contact Susan Rinn at srinn@tlu.edu or 380-372- 8001.
Again, congratulations on your scheduled graduation!