Information for Graduates

Important Information/Dates

• Account Balances
• Announcements and Invitations
• Bookstore
• Caps and Gowns
• Commencement Participation
• Diplomas
• Graduation Events
• Location
• Invitations
• Photographs
• Pronunciation of Names of Graduates
• DVD Purchase

Account Balances
All unpaid balances on accounts for members of the Class of 2013 must be settled with the accounting office no later than noon, Friday, April 19, 2013. Failure to do so will delay graduates in receiving diplomas, in the processing of transcripts and will prevent a student from participating in the ceremony.

Announcements and Invitations for Graduation
Announcements will need to be ordered from Josten's during SENIOR SALUTES Feb. 27-28 in the Cate Center lobby, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Announcements can also be ordered online at www.jostens.com by searching under Meredith College.

Invitations can be purchased from the bookstore beginning the second week in April.

Bookstore
The bookstore on campus will be open Commencement Weekend during the following hours: Saturday, May 11, noon to 2 p.m. For bookstore information, please call (919) 760-8545.

Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns will be available for purchase in the Bookstore beginning in February until Commencement weekend. Should you have questions about caps and gowns, contact the bookstore at (919) 760-8454.

Undergraduate students wear a maroon gown and maroon mortarboard. The tassel worn pertains to the academic degree being received: black tassel, Bachelor of Arts; pink tassel, Bachelor of Music; gold tassel, Bachelor of Science; white tassel, Bachelor of Social Work.

Graduate Students wear a black gown, black mortarboard, black tassel and a hood. Hoods reflect the color of the academic discipline: drab, Business; light blue, Education; gold, Nutrition.

For the ceremony, graduate students are asked to take their hood in their hand and give it to the appropriate dean who will hood the graduate as the individual crosses the stage.

Attire for Commencement
Commencement is a formal occasion. It is recommended that women wear a dress or skirt, shorter than the gown, or wear black dress pants. It is recommended that men wear black dress pants. Black dress, but comfortable, shoes should be worn by both women and men. Personal possessions (such as purses) should be left with a family member.

Commencement Participation

Participation in the May 2013 Commencement ceremony is open to students who are completing degree requirements in May 2013 or who completed degree requirements in August 2012 or December 2012. Students who will complete requirements for the degree by August 2013 are eligible to petition to participate in the May 2013 Commencement ceremony. Information about eligibility and the request to petition are available through the Office of the Registrar.

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Diplomas

Diplomas will be available in Dorton Arena on the day of Commencement for students who have completed their degree requirements in May. Diplomas not picked up on the day of Commencement in Dorton Arena will be available the following week in the Office of the Registrar.

Graduation Events

Baccalaureate Worship Service:
A worship service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, in Jones Auditorium. Members of the Class of 2013 will participate in their academic regalia. A special invitation is extended to families/guests, faculty and staff to join graduates for this service.

Line-up for Class of 2013:
Graduates, with full academic regalia, should arrive at Dorton Arena, no later than 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Line-up will occur on the lower level of Dorton Arena, which may be accessed from the north or south lobbies.

Location
Commencement will be held in the J.S. Dorton Arena on the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Door will open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are not necessary for this location.

Directions to Dorton Arena:
From Meredith College, travel west on Hillsborough Street to Blue Ridge Road. (Make a right out of the main entrance of Meredith’s campus.) Turn right onto Blue Ridge Road. Travel approximately a quarter mile and turn left onto Trinity Road. Guests will access parking through Gate 9 on the left side of Trinity Road. Handicapped parking is available. Travel on Hillsborough Street and access handicapped parking through Gate 2 on the right side of the street.

Information for Families and Guests
Families and guests should go directly to J.S. Dorton Arena at the N.C. State Fairgrounds for the ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets are not necessary for this location.

Information for the Faculty Processional
Faculty will need to assemble promptly at 6 p.m. on the west side of the arena.

Photographs
Photo Specialties, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, will be the professional photographers for Commencement. A photo will be taken of each graduate as the president presents diplomas. A proof will be mailed to each participating graduate. However, there will be no obligation to purchase photos. After Commencement, questions should be addressed directly to Photo Specialties at (919) 967-9576.

Pronunciation of Names of Graduates
If a graduate has concern about the pronunciation of her or his name, s/he is asked to visit the Office for Academic Programs, 104 Johnson Hall, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the week of May 6-10, 2013. Phonetic pronunciation may be left for Dr. Rotondo.

DVD Purchase
Commencement DVDs will be available through Meredith’s Media Services Department. To order your DVD please complete this form. For questions concerning purchase, please call Media Services at (919) 760-2346.

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