PARENTS' GUIDE TO COMMENCEMENT 2009

Wednesday-Saturday, May 13-16

SENIOR WEEK EVENTS: A brochure describing the events and a registration form is enclosed. It has also been sent to each graduating senior at their campus mail box, unless we have been notified to send it elsewhere.

Friday, May 15

SENIOR BREAKFAST AND REHEARSAL: The Alumni Association will host a continental breakfast for graduating seniors in Johnston Hall beginning at 9:00 a.m. Immediately following the breakfast at approximately 10:00 a.m. there will be a rehearsal for Commencement. This will take approximately 1 ½ hours.

BACCALAUREATE: The Baccalaureate service will be held in Central Moravian Church at 5:00 p.m. and lasts approximately one hour.

Wearing their caps and gowns, graduates will assemble in Foy Hall at 4:15 p.m. (or inside the church if it is raining). The doors of Central Moravian Church will be opened to parents and guests at 4:15 p.m.

PARKING AND DISABILITY ACCESS: Parking will be available under the Hill-to-Hill Bridge, which is at the bottom of Main Street, below the church. The handicapped entrance is at the northeast side of the church on Heckewelder Place. The entrance to Heckewelder is on Market Street. From there you will exit onto Church Street (which is one-way, therefore you much turn right). Turn left on Main Street to go to the parking lot.

SHUTTLE SERVICE: You may park your car in one of the Main Street campus parking lots and take the shuttle bus to Central Moravian Church. (A map showing campus parking lots is enclosed.) The bus will depart from the HUB entrance beginning at 3:30 p.m. and return there after the service.

SENIOR SOIREE AND DINNER DANCE: Immediately following Baccalaureate there will be a reception, dinner and dance in Johnston Hall. Please see the enclosed brochure for details. Reservations are required by April 30. This is a very popular event and tickets sell out quickly.

Saturday, May 16

Rain Passes:  In the event of rain, the limited seating capacity in Johnston Hall will necessitate admission rain passes for Commencement.  Each graduate will receive 4 passes with their cap and gown.  If more passes are needed, they should ask fellow graduates for their unused passes or ask at the HUB desk, where a limited amount of extra passes will be available.  No student will be given more than a total of 10 passes.  Should the ceremony be held indoors, there will also be closed circuit, large screen TV viewing in the HUB.  This will be a much more comfortable environment for young children and the elderly, who will have easy access to rest rooms and refreshments.  If you are unsure whether the ceremony will be held inside or out, please call the Weather Hotline number listed below.  The announcement will be posted on Saturday at 6:30 a.m.

Parking and Disability Access:   All of the College’s parking lots will be open to guests.  Campus police will be available to assist with directions and traffic control.

It is recommended that those with mobility issues be dropped off at the HUB entrance.  Vehicles transporting the handicapped may then park in lot K, behind the Priscilla Payne Hurd Academic Complex.  Seating for the handicapped is on the HUB portico.

Cap and Gown Buffet Breakfast:   Breakfast will be served between 7:00 and 9:30 a.m.  Please see the enclosed brochure for details and reservation information.

Commencement CeremonY: Graduates may assemble and robe in the ARC beginning at 9:00 a.m.  The processional will begin promptly at 9:40 a.m.  The ceremony lasts approximately 2 hours.  Commencement will be held on the field in back of the Haupert Union Building.  Seating is provided and there is no limit to the number of guests who may be invited. 

Videotape:  A professional company will videotape the entire commencement ceremony and make it available for purchase.  Orders may be placed on-line at www.moravian.edu/commencement/DVD.

Reception:  Light refreshments will be served immediately after the ceremony.  Tables will be set up in front of Reeves Library.

Miscellaneous

Newspaper Announcement:  Unless a student has submitted a release form to the Public Relations Department, we cannot announce their graduation in their hometown newspaper.

Yearbook:  All graduates receive a copy of The Benigna.  They will be sent to the permanent address of May graduates in August.  August graduates will receive theirs in October.

HELPFUL CAMPUS TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Haupert Union Building (HUB): 610 861-1491
(Senior Week activities and reservations)

Campus Police: 610 861-1421
(parking, special needs and emergencies)

Bookstore: 610 861-1485
(gowns, announcements, gifts)

General Questions: 610 861-1348
Jane Schaffer, Academic Affairs office

Public Relations: 610 625-7880
(newspaper announcement)

Weather Hotline: 610 625-7995 or 610 861-1300 or web site

Web Site: Commencement information may also be found on our web site: www.moravian.edu.