Date:
Saturday, May 9, 2009

The Winona Campus will hold two ceremonies on Saturday, May 9, 2009. The 11:00 a.m. ceremony is for all Winona Campus undergraduate college students. Details listed here pertain to the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs Winona Campus Commencement at 4:00 p.m.

Eligibility: Students enrolled in programs in the Institute for Pastoral Ministries and in the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development must complete all degree requirements by April 1, 2009 to be eligible for the May 2009 commencement ceremony. For all other programs, students must be able to demonstrate to their respective program director a plan for completion of all degree requirements by August 20, 2009 in order to be eligible to participate in the May 2009 commencement ceremony. Any questions regarding your eligibility for participation should be directed to your program director. Students intending to commence in May are required to submit a completed Application for Graduation and Commencement no later than December 12, 2008. Confirmation of commencement eligibility will be mailed the first week of April, 2009. Commencement is not a certification of graduation. Your graduation date and transcript date may be different from your commencement date.

Parking: Parking should be available on campus for all visitors. In the event that the grounds are wet on campus, vehicles may be directed to an overflow parking lot in town. Shuttle buses will bring people to campus from the overflow lot.

Ceremony: The ceremony lasts approximately one and a half hours. Students will be hooded as they proceed toward the stage; students will then proceed across the stage as their names are called and receive a diploma envelope. The gymnasium may not accommodate all guests; therefore, tickets will be required for gymnasium seating. Students who indicate that they will participate in the ceremony will receive three tickets for gymnasium seating. Alternative seating venues will be available in the Performance Center and Toner Student Center which are adjacent to the gymnasium. Video links will project the ceremony to these locations on large screens. Tickets are not required for alternative seating venues. Tickets, along with finals details for commencement day, will be mailed in early April.

Assembly Information: Required check-in begins at 2:15 p.m. in the Gostomski Fieldhouse. All students are required to check-in prior to attending any individual program gathering. Students will line up at 3:15 p.m. by program in the Gostomski Fieldhouse. Please wear comfortable shoes and plan to leave personal belongings with friends or family.

Reception: A reception will be held outside on the Plaza following the ceremony. In case of inclement weather, it will be held in the Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Academic Costume: Academic costume is traditional. You can order your cap, gown, and hood by completing the Application for Graduation and Commencement form. Your regalia will be mailed to you in April. Students wear the traditional gown, which is black with a sleeve opening near the wrist. Caps are worn with black tassels only.

Diplomas: Diploma envelopes will be presented at the ceremony. Actual diplomas will be mailed upon completion of all degree requirements.

Disability Accommodations: Handicapped parking is available on campus. Anyone needing special accommodations for seating in the gymnasium should call Ms. Darlene Paulson at (507) 457-1586 to make arrangements. In order to honor all handicapped section seating requests, only one additional guest may sit with the individual requesting handicapped seating. A sign language interpreter will be at the ceremony.

Announcements: Graduation announcements and commencement accessories may be ordered directly through Herff Jones on-line at: www.herffjones.com/college/graduation. If you have questions regarding announcements, you may contact Herff Jones directly at (952) 447-4449.

Photographer: Herff Jones will take a full-color photograph of students as they receive their diploma envelopes. Proofs will be mailed to you approximately 4 weeks after graduation. Attached to the proof will be an order form and all the necessary information to order pictures. Orders will be accepted through June 30, 2009. If you are not satisfied with the portraits, simply return them to Herff Jones and your money will be refunded. Please direct any questions regarding commencement photographs to Herff Jones at (800) 533-8030.

Financial Obligations: All student accounts must be paid in full prior to graduation. Diplomas and transcripts are withheld pending completion of all financial obligations.