Information for the A James Clark School of Engineering Commencement Ceremony is provided. No tickets are required for the Clark School ceremony.

Please check the University Commencement web site for complete details regarding the Main Commencement Ceremony.

All Graduates: When to Report and Where

Graduates should report to the Small Gym (0601) on the ground level by 2:45 p.m. Directions: Enter Arena on the Ground Floor by the Will Call window or the Softball Field. The Small Gym will be down the hall. It is important that you be on time. You must pick up your name card, which will be given to the Reader of Names during the ceremony.

If you are an Undergraduate student, look for the name of your department to pick up your card. PhD, Masters, or Master of Engineering graduates look for corresponding signs.  Make sure to complete the survey on the back of card. The Student Affairs staff will assist you in preparing for the Processional.

Please keep in mind that participating in the Commencement ceremony does not in any way imply that degree requirements have been satisfied for graduation.

Ph.D. Student Procedure

Please make arrangements with your advisor to be hooded during the Engineering Graduation Ceremony. If your advisor is not available, you can ask another member of your committee or a favorite faculty member to hood you, or your department chair can hood you. Inquiries regarding commencement ceremony participation should be directed to your department and not to Student Affairs nor the Dean's Office.
Apply to participate in the May 2012 ceremony.

Masters Student Procedure

Information regarding graduation procedures can be found on The Graduate School page. Inquiries regarding commencement ceremony participation should be directed to your departmental graduate advisor and not to Student Affairs nor the Dean's Office.
Apply to participate in the May 2012 ceremony.

B.S. Graduate Candidates

If your degree requirements will not be complete at the end of the semester, but you would like to participate at the Engineering Commencement ceremony, complete a Request to Participate in Engineering Commencement Ceremony form in the month before commencement.

A complete timeline regarding the undergraduate graduation process and required paperwork is available on the Undergraduate Advising and Academic Support Graduation page.

Diplomas

• PhD:  After Commencement, diplomas can be picked up in the Diploma Office, located on the first floor of the Mitchell Building.  The Diploma Office will not be open the day of Commencement, but will open for regular office hours the following business day.
• Masters:  Diplomas will be mailed out to those that have completed all requirements approximately six weeks after graduation.
• B.S:  Diplomas will be mailed out to those that have completed all requirements approximately six weeks after graduation.

Undergraduate Students with Honors

If you are an undergraduate student graduating with Latin honors (summa, magna and cum laude), engineering department honors and/or Clark School honors, you will receive a gold and/or red tassel from the college to wear on your cap at graduation. Students will be notified via email by the beginning of May when the tassels are available. Latin, department and Clark School honors will also be announced when your name is read during the recognition portion of the Engineering ceremony.
Contact Heidi Sauber if you have any questions.

GPA Ranges for Latin Honors: May 2012

Summa:            4.000 - 3.975
Magna:             3.974 - 3.906
Cum Laude:      3.905 - 3.822

Regalia

You are responsible for obtaining your own graduation regalia. The University Book Center will take orders for caps and gowns and other graduation items until the day of graduation.  Please see University Commencement for more information.

Parking and Transit

Parking in the marked spaces in the surface lots are on a first come first served basis. The best option is to use Terrapin Trail Garage. The garage is ideal in that parking is available throughout, guests have access to the elevator to move between floors, and there is a walkway between the garage and the Comcast Center.

If you require accessible transportation for a disabled guest the day of commencement, please make arrangements by calling dispatch services at 301.314.0318. If you have parking questions, please call 301.314.PARK.

Family and Guest Arrival Times

The processional is scheduled to begin at 3:45 p.m.  Family and friends should arrive no sooner than 3:00 p.m., as there will be another ceremony scheduled prior to ours in session.  Tickets are not required and seating is unlimited.

Photography

GradImages, the university’s official photographer, will take photographs of each graduate participating in the campus-wide commencement ceremony prior to the procession and photographs at the Engineering graduation ceremony with one as they cross the platform. While there is no obligation to purchase the prints, the graduate will receive color proofs by eamil approximately two weeks after commencement.  In order to receive the proofs, please make sure that you complete the company’s address card distributed in the line-up area prior to the procession.  For more information, contact GradImages at 800.628.4509 or visit  www.gradimages.com.

Services for Guests with Special Needs

• Students or Guests with Hearing Disabilities
  Students or guests requiring sign language interpretation please contact Heidi Sauber by May 7th.
• Special Needs Guest Parking
  Parking for guests with disabilities is available at Comcast Center in Lot 4B and inside of the Terrapin Trail Parking Garage to any guest with a disabled permit. View the campus map [pdf] for parking locations.
• Special Needs Guest Entrances
  Entrances for our guests with disabilities are available at the following four (4) locations at Comcast Center:
  Gate C: Southeast corner of the arena on the Ground Level
  Gate D: Northeast corner of the arena on the Ground Level
  Gate E: Southwest corner of the arena on the Concourse Level
  Gate F: Northwest corner of the arena on the Concourse Level
• Special Needs Restrooms
  Each of the 37 restrooms located conveniently throughout Comcast Center is ADA compliant and accessible to our guests with disabilities. However, for the comfort of our disabled guests, four (4) private bathrooms have been designated exclusively for their use:
  • At the top of Sections 105 and 110 on the Plaza Level (2nd level).
  • Behind Sections 122 and 217 on the Concourse Level (3rd level).
• Special Needs Guest Seating
  Wheelchair and special needs seating is available on the top level accessible through the main entrance. There will be folding chairs available for guests without wheelchairs wishing to sit in this area. Ushers will be available to assist with seating.

For More Information

Please contact  Heidi Sauber.