Undergraduate Commencement:

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Congratulations to all May 2013 Graduates!

See a complete listing of all May 2013 graduates.   

Visit the Commencement Ceremony Website for videos of the current and past ceremonies.

May 2013 Commencement Ceremony Information:  Commencement Bulletin 

Undergraduate Graduation Checklist:

• Submitted graduation application to Records and Registration
• Filled out senior survey 
• Ordered cap and gown  
• Ordered announcements
• Completed Cultural Events requirement

 Parking 
Degree candidates should park in the north parking lot of the coliseum (1162 Eden Terrace). Public Safety officers will direct you to the nearest available space. Please enter the coliseum ONLY through the north tunnel.

In the south side parking lot, there will be a designated area coned off for special guests. All remaining parking is available for family and guests.

NOTE: Parking off of Winthrop property could lead to your vehicle being towed.

Check In and Line Up
Degree candidates should report to the check-in area, located just inside the north entrance of the coliseum, in academic cap and gown between 9:15 and 10:00 a.m.to check in:

• Pick up Card: Each degree candidate will be given a card with his or her name, seat, and any honors he or she will receive. Do not lose or alter this card.
•  If you believe the information printed is incorrect, please bring this to the attention of the staff at the check-in area.There will be a designated area for questions.
•  Pronunciation of your name:  The name readers will be available in the check in area between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. if you have concerns regarding the pronunciation of your name.

After receiving a card, candidates should proceed to the east hallway where additional personnel will be present to assist candidates in locating their assigned position in line.

NOTE: Only participating graduates are allowed in this area! 

Procession

The procession will begin promptly at 10:50 a.m. Please be prompt. We cannot place students in line after the procession begins.

The Procession will form two abreast in the following order:
Platform party
Faculty
Degree Candidates
Faculty and degree candidates will be led by marshals. The appropriate marshals will direct each group to their seat.

At the signal from the Chief Faculty Marshal, the procession will enter the arena down the center aisle. The degree candidates will split to the left and right outside aisles, respectively, upon reaching the stage and be directed to their seats by a marshal. Seats will be filled as rapidly as possible under the direction of the marshals. Please do not leave empty seats. Members of the procession and all guests will remain standing until after the National Anthem has been sung.

Seating Chart

1.  College of Business Administration  3.  College of Visual and Performing Arts
2.  College of Education  4.  College of Arts and Sciences

NOTE: This seating is approximate. Exact seating will depend upon the number of graduates in attendance from each college.

Conferring of Degrees
Academic deans will present the candidates for undergraduate degrees from their respective college to the vice president for academic affairs. Once all degrees are conferred, the president will then instruct graduates to move their tassels from the right front side to the left front side of the cap.

Marshals will then direct the movement of bachelor’s degree recipients to the stage. Graduates will give their name cards to the reader when they reach the top of the ramp leading onto the stage. When their name is announced, they will cross the stage, receive their diploma cover from their academic dean and shake hands with the chair of the board of trustees and the president.

Final Procession
Upon conclusion of the singing of the Alma Mater, the platform party will leave first, followed by the faculty. The graduates will exit under the direction of the Student Marshals. Please meet family and friends in the upper concourse after the ceremony. The ceremony should last until approximately 1:00 p.m.

Guests 
Located on the concourse are information tables at sections 123 and 130 and representatives from several Rock Hill businesses, including a florist, frame shop, and The Winthrop Bookstore.

Sweatshirts, T-shirts, baseball caps, disposable cameras, film, diploma frames, and flowers will be available for purchase.  Balloons and balloon bouquets are not allowed in the arena as they may obstruct the view of other guests. Consider leaving these items in your car or having a member of your party wait outside until the ceremony concludes.

Each degree candidate is asked to invite no more than six guests to the ceremony due to seating limitations in the Coliseum. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. to accommodate all who wish to find seats early.

Family and guests of the degree candidates should enter the Coliseum through the upper concourse level and be seated by 10:40 a.m. The commencement procession begins promptly at 10:50 a.m. In fairness to all guests, we ask that you not reserve seating.

For information on the Rock Hill area, including a list of local accommodations, check out the Winthrop Visitors' Center.

Special Assistance 
In order to attend commencement, if you or your guest(s) require an auxiliary aid or service identified in the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Gena Smith at (803) 323-3290 (V/TTD) or visit the Services for Students with Disabilities website for more information.

Seating will be designated for guests, including the elderly, who may need special assistance. In an effort to ensure accessible seating for those who need it, we ask that only one family member accompany the person in the designated seating area. This will be enforced.

These individuals should plan to arrive prior to 10:30 a.m., use the entrance for the disabled, and proceed to the section for the disabled as indicated on the seating chart. A sign language interpreter will be at the ceremony.

Photographs by Grad Images
Individual graduate photographs are handled by Grad Images, 1-800-261-2576. Two photographs will be taken, one with the president and the other a more posed shot in front of the Winthrop logo. Grad Images will contact graduates after graduation regarding the sale of the photos.

Guests may take their own photos and videos of the ceremony but shall not block the aisles or the view of other guests. The Commencement stage will be left intact for a short time following the ceremony for those guests who wish to take photographs.

Winthrop Class Ring
The official ring of Winthrop University is reserved exclusively for alumni, graduate students who have completed at least 18 credit hours, and undergraduate students of junior or senior standing who have completed at least 54 credit hours. For more information, call 1-800-854-7464.

Inclement Weather Policy
In the instance of extreme weather, unsafe road conditions, or natural disasters, the university will notify local media outlets regarding the feasibility of proceeding with the graduation ceremony as scheduled.