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Overview

Thomas University graduates students in the fall and spring semesters. Only one commencement ceremony is conducted, at the end of the spring semester. The 2008 commencement will take place at 11 AM on Saturday, May 3 in the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium, located at 144 East Jackson Street in downtown Thomasville. View Map.

Students who intend to graduate must complete the Intent to Graduate Application by October 1 (fall semester graduation) or February 1 (spring semester graduation). Students who graduate in the fall are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony the following spring.

IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES for 2008

 

Deadline to order caps & gowns

March 18

Deadline to request excuse from walking by e-mailing request to alandis@thomasu.edu

April 1

Graduating Student Survey will be e-mailed to graduates – complete survey online and print/retain e-mail confirmation of completing the survey in order to pick up commencement tickets

April 7

Lottery for additional tickets

April 7 - April 14 at 6 PM

Notification of lottery winners

April 16

Deadline to notify of intent to use additional tickets – e-mail tolsenoliver@thomasu.edu

April 21

Window to pick up tickets in Office of Enrollment Services / Registrar – show e-mail confirmation of completing Graduating Student Survey to receive tickets

April 21 - April 25 at 6 PM

Graduation Rehearsal

All Students

Location

May 2

10 AM-12 PM

Thomasville Municipal Auditorium

Graduate and Family Luncheon

Location

Time

May 2 (following rehearsal)

Thomas University Campus Center

12 PM

Honors Tea (by invitation)

Location

May 2 at 4 PM

Thomasville Business Exchange

Commencement

Location

Time for Graduates to Arrive

Ceremony Time

May 3

Thomasville Municipal Auditorium

10 AM

11 AM

Attendance

POLICY FOR REQUIRED ATTENDANCE AT GRADUATION

Part of the privilege of attending a small university is participating in a graduation ceremony at which your professors, TU administrators and staff, your family members and classmates celebrate your academic accomplishment. Because your attendance at the Thomas University commencement is essential, we consider it a requirement. If you are not able to attend the graduation ceremony for extenuating circumstances, you must submit a request to be excused in writing to the Dr. Ann Landis, Academic Dean, by April 1 at alandis@thomasu.edu. In your e-mail, please include your name, reason for needing to be excused, and e-mail address at which you would receive a reply.

 

 

Cap and Gown

Caps and gowns may be picked up in the Campus Store after April 21.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR SATELLITE CAMPUS / ONLINE PROGRAM STUDENTS
If you are a satellite campus/online program student, you may pick up your tickets and cap and gown at the Will Call table at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium on Friday, May 2 at the commencement rehearsal or on Saturday, May 3 between 9:30 and 10:00 AM only. Please e-mail Kellie Blackwell at kblackwell@thomasu.edu to notify the Registrar’s office that you will be picking up your tickets and cap and gown at the Will Call table.

 

Tickets

Each graduate receives tickets for family and friends who wish to attend the commencement ceremony, but since auditorium space is limited, each graduate is limited to FIVE TICKETS. Graduates may obtain up to three additional tickets (if available) through a lottery system (see below).

You may pick up tickets April 21-25 in the Office of Enrollment Services / Registrar’s Office. In order to receive your tickets, you must show the Graduating Student Survey E-Mail Confirmation indicating that you have completed the survey. Please e-mail Kellie Blackwell at kblackwell@thomasu.edu if you would like to authorize someone else to pick up your tickets. No tickets will be mailed.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR SATELLITE CAMPUS / ONLINE PROGRAM STUDENTS
If you are a satellite campus/online program student, you may pick up your tickets and cap and gown at the Will Call table at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium on Friday, May 2 at the commencement rehearsal or on Saturday, May 3 between 9:30 and 10:00 AM only. Please e-mail Kellie Blackwell at kblackwell@thomasu.edu to notify the Registrar’s office that you will be picking up your tickets and cap and gown at the Will Call table.

Ticket Lottery Instructions

To request a maximum of three additional tickets, click to enter the lottery for additional tickets.

  • The lottery opens on April 7 and closes at 6:00 PM on April 14.
  • Recipients will be selected anonymously and randomly at the close of the lottery until all extra tickets are awarded. Those graduates will be notified by April 16 that their request will be granted.
  • Please note that a request for additional tickets does not guarantee that you will receive tickets.
  • Graduates who are awarded additional tickets must e-mail Tracey Olsen-Oliver at tolsenoliver@thomasu.edu of their intent to utilize the tickets by April 21 so that unclaimed tickets can be distributed to additional lottery participants.
  • All tickets must be picked up in the Advancement Office (Birdwood Annex) by 6:00 PM on May 2.
  • Students who are not in the vicinity of campus must request that their tickets be available at a Will Call table for pick up prior to commencement on May 3. The Will Call table will be open from 9:30-10:00 AM at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium. To request that your tickets be held at Will Call, you must e-mail Tracey Olsen-Oliver at tolsenoliver@thomasu.edu by 6:00 PM on May 2.
  • Please be aware that all seats are reserved and that only official tickets will be accepted for entry to the commencement ceremony.

Ticket Lottery Dates

  • April 7-14: Open Lottery for extra tickets
  • April 15: Lottery selection for extra tickets
  • April 16: Students notified of extra tickets
  • April 16-21: Students must notify Tracey Olsen-Oliver at tolsenoliver@thomasu.edu of intent to use tickets (or tickets will be put back into the pool of extra tickets)
  • April 21-25: Extra tickets available for pick up in the Office of Enrollment Services/ Registrar’s Office.

Rehearsal

The commencement rehearsal will be held on Friday, May 2, from 10 AM until noon at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium. Prior to the start of the rehearsal that morning, the Will Call table for picking up graduation tickets will be open. In order to receive your tickets, you must show the Graduating Student Survey E-Mail Confirmation indicating that you have completed the survey. If you have not completed the survey, you will have an opportunity to do so at rehearsal.

REHEARSAL AGENDA / INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Welcome & congratulations – Dr. Ann Landis (Moderator)
  2. Preparation of name cards (Herff-Jones cards)
    1. Talk to Dr. Landis if you have a name that might be difficult to pronounce. Also, write your name phonetically on your card.
    2. Confirm that your information is correct.
    3. Write the name you wish to be called clearly in the space provided. You will hold this card until you complete lining up downstairs later in the rehearsal, at which time, Kellie Blackwell will collect the cards.
  3. Explanation of commencement process and rehearsal
    1. Lining up downstairs
    2. Procession
    3. Seating in auditorium
    4. Process for receiving diploma and degree
    5. Recession
    6. Etiquette reminders – Prof. Gale Whitehurst
    7. Undergraduates dismissed
    8. Rehearsal of graduate student hooding process

Commencement Ceremony

You should plan to arrive at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium by 10 AM on Saturday, May 3.

Procedure

  1. Line up downstairs at 10 AM by degree major in alphabetical order.
    1. Have your name card in hand.
    2. Be dressed in your cap & gown.
  2. Procession begins at 11:00 AM. Students follow the faculty, led by Student Marshall, Prof. Gale Whitehurst
    1. Follow closely; leave a slight (2 foot) gap between you and the person in front of you.
    2. Prof. Whitehurst will direct you to sit in the correct row.
    3. Do not leave any empty seats.
    4. Remain standing.
  3. Ceremony
    1. Students remain standing for pledge and invocation, men remove caps until prayer ends.
    2. President will direct you to be seated.
    3. Pass the programs provided down the row so that each graduate has one.
    4. Follow program until conferring of degrees.

Process for Conferring Degrees

  1. Dr. Landis will say, "Will the candidates please rise?" – all graduates stand.
  2. Dr. Bonvillian will authorize awarding your diplomas.
  3. Dr. Landis will ask all but the first row to be seated.
  4. The first row will come forward, filing out to the left as you face the stage.
  5. Subsequent rows will be directed to stand and move forward by Prof. Whitehurst.
  6. Graduates will be directed by Jennifer Lindquist as to when to go on stage.
  7. At the top of the stairs, you will hand your card to Dr. Landis.
    1. When she calls your name, you will walk at a moderate speed across the stage and receive your diploma with your left hand and shake hands with Dr. Bonvillian and Rankin Smith, chairman of the board of trustees. While you’re shaking hands, a photographer will take your picture.
    2. Go down the steps where another photographer will take your picture again.
    3. Ed Thomas, Director of Alumni, will hand you a TU pin as a gift from the Alumni Association.
    4. Return to your seat and be seated.
  8. Graduate students will be asked to stand.
    1. Give Dr. Landis your name card when your name is called.
    2. With your hood folded over your left arm, walk to the mark on the stage.
    3. Hand your hood to your division chair, face audience, bend your knees if necessary, and your professor will place the hood over your head and straighten it.
    4. Turn and walk to the president and Mr. Smith for your diploma.
    5. Follow the remaining steps above.
  9. When all graduates have received their diplomas, all will be asked to stand and your degrees will be conferred by the President.
  10. Undergraduates, move the tassel on your cap to the left side.

Recession

  1. Follow Prof. Whitehurst’s directions as she guides you out row by row.
  2. Follow the graduate before you all the way down the stairs so that all graduates can exit the auditorium.

Attire

  • Cap & gown should be free of wrinkles (follow instructions provided with gowns).
  • Wear dark dress shoes and dark dress slacks.
  • Dark attire looks best under the thin fabric of these gowns.
  • Low heels are strongly encouraged.
  • No flip flops, casual sandals, or slides.
  • Cap must be worn flat on the head.
  • Leave purses in the trunk of your car for security.
  • No chewing gum.

Etiquette

  • Turn off all cell phones.
  • Be courteous if taking personal photographs.
  • Men should remove caps during invocation and benediction.
  • All guests regardless of age (even babies) must have a ticket; you are encouraged to leave younger children at home where they can celebrate with you later.
  • Be respectful of your classmates in your and your guests’ congratulations during the ceremony so that all graduates’ names can be heard.
  • Please pass the programs that are provided down the row you are sitting in.

Auditorium Accessibility

For elderly and handicapped persons, there is an elevator located on the right side of the municipal building. There are a few handicap parking spaces located near the elevators.

Local Accommodations

Lodging and dining accommodations in Thomasville.

What Will You Be?

Sometimes graduates are unsure which Latin term to use in describing themselves. Every student has an alma mater, which in Latin means "nurturing mother." Upon graduation, the student becomes a "foster child" of the nurturing mother. This list will help you determine what kind of foster child you are.

Test your knowledge of academic traditions and the graduation ceremony.