Ohlone College
Forty-Second Annual Graduation Ceremony

Information for Graduates

Thursday, May 21, 2009
7:00pm
Epler Gynasium

Instructions for Graduates

In order to not have a rehearsal, we ask you to read and understand the following instructions.

Forty-Second Annual Commencement Exercises
Epler Gymnasium
Thursday, May 21, 2009, 7:00pm

Please Read Carefully

1. Graduates enter the east end of the lower level of the gym at 6:15pm. for robing and alignment. Please do not bring purses, coats, suit jackets . It is best for you to leave belongings with family/friends, as there is no checkroom. (Hint - bring a couple of bobby pins for your cap.) Caps are to be worn so that they are flat on top with tassel on the right-front side.

2. Deadline: Beginning at approximately 6:15pm, Admissions & Records staff will hand out name cards. You must have a name card. After receiving the card, participants will align themselves 2 by 2. No special order is required - except that the Deaf and Interpreting graduates are first in line followed by the Nursing, Respiratory Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistant graduates. All other graduates can line up in random order. If you want to sit by another person graduating, you will need to stand next to each other.

3. At 6:55pm sharp the procession will move up the stairs to the gymnasium. Staff will lead the graduates and ushers will guide you. You will line up in pairs; however, the line will come down to one as you come into the gym. You will walk straight down the center aisle to enter the seating area reserved for graduates. After a row is filled, the people in that row are to be seated. Ushers will assist you.

4. After all graduates have been seated, the assemblage will rise for the singing of the anthem.

5. President Gari Browning opens commencement; welcomes graduates, guests, and staff; and gives a message to the graduates.

6. Ms. Jackie McCulley, President of the Associated Students of Ohlone College, makes brief remarks of congratulations.

7. Professor Bob Bradshaw, Faculty Senate President, presents the Outstanding Alumna Award.

8. Mr. John Weed, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, presents the Valedictorian Award.

9. Dr. Jim Wright, Vice President, Academic Affairs, will approach the podium. At his hand signal, all graduates rise in unison. Dr. Wright then presents the graduates to the President of the Board of Trustees as having completed all the requirements of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and of the Board of Trustees of the Ohlone Community College District for the Associate Degrees.

10. Mr. Bill McMillin, President of the Board of Trustees, accepts the class on behalf of the Board of Trustees and "confers" the degrees.

11. After conferring of degrees, the individual presentation of diploma cases will begin. Mr. Ron Travenick, Vice President, Student Development, will be standing at the microphone at the top of the platform ramp and will ask all graduates to take their seats. He will ask the first row of graduates to stand and proceed to the platform. Each graduate hands his/her name card to the announcers who will read the names. The first graduate proceeds across the platform and the second graduate walks to the microphone and hands his/her name card to the announcer. This continues until the last student crosses the stage. Ushers will assist with directing rows of graduates to the platform and back to their chairs.

    Accept your diploma case with your left hand and keep your right hand free for the traditional handshake. As you receive your diploma case, relax, smile, and be proud! Switch mortarboard tassel to left side. Return to your row and your original seat. Remain standing until entire row has returned…then be seated. (Please read this part again.)

    * For additional notes for all Nursing, RT, PTA graduates read Attention: Nursing, RT, PTA Graduates below. *

12. After the diploma ceremony is completed, Mr. Travenick will give instructions to all about how to exit the gymnasium in an orderly manner. Please follow instructions of the ushers. Please exit quickly and meet your guests at the Palm Bosque. (Please tell guests ahead of time that you will meet them in the Palm Bosque. Do not meet them inside or by the doors.)

13. Dr. Browning closes the ceremonies.

14. The recessional route proceeds out the doors on the same end of the gym where you entered. You will come out the left and right sides of the seats – follow the usher's instructions. Once outside the gym, proceed quickly down the stairs to the Palm Bosque to avoid crowding.

There is a reception for graduates and guests in the Palm Bosque sponsored by the Associated Students of Ohlone College.

Thank you for accomplishing all of this without rehearsal!

Congratulations!

Best Wishes to You for Your Future Successes.

General Notes:

• If any of your guests use a wheelchair or need special seating, please have them tell an usher when they arrive at the ceremony.
• Please ask your guests to arrive before 7:00pm or they may have to go to the overflow room and watch the ceremony on television monitors, wait outside the gym, or stand for the entire ceremony.
• There will be a section (with signs) in the bleachers near the platform for guests who have special needs (i.e. Deaf, disabled seating). Children are welcome but, due to space and safety constraints, we do not allow strollers in the gymnasium. There will be a stroller parking lot near the gym.
• Cell phones and pagers are to be turned off (or silenced) during the ceremony or, preferably, left outside the gymnasium.
• Your family and friends may take personal pictures on the platform after everyone is out of the gym. Please ask your guests not to crowd the aisles before, during or after the ceremony.
• Ohlone College graduation is a public event. As such, participating in or attending these proceedings gives permission to Ohlone College or any media to take and use your photograph for publicity, marketing or news purposes.
• Please ask your guests to remain in the stands and act appropriately - they should not interfere with graduation.
• Please dress appropriately – the gym may be quite warm and stuffy. Have your family/guests carry a sweater/jacket for you, as the reception may be cool afterwards.

Attention:
Nursing, RT, PTA Graduates

At the appropriate time, Associate Professor Katherine Dewan will lead you up to the platform to the pinning area. Carry your pins unclasped as you proceed down the center aisle to the platform. Prior to entering the platform, you will be pinned by Dean Gale Carli.

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• When is Graduation?
• General Graduation Information
• Instructions for Graduates
• Academic Regalia (Caps, Gowns, Tassels, and Honor Cords)
• Graduation Announcements
• How Do I Ensure that I Receive My Degree?
• Degrees and Diplomas
• Photography and Videotaping
• Frequently Asked Questions

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