Centennial Honors College

ACADEMIC HONORS CONVOCATION INSTRUCTIONS
Friday, December 13, 2019 @ 5:30 PM
  Western Hall | Macomb, IL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENT PARTICIPANTS
There are no convocation rehearsals, so please study the information below carefully.
  Arrival
  • Arrive a half hour prior to convocation
  • Report to the long counter along the East Arena back wall (Q-Lot side) to pick up a name card(s).
  • Graduates receiving multiple distinctions will have more than one card and will cross the stage more than once. Each color-coded card denotes the different academic distinctions. Keep cards in the order they are assembled. If needed, write your name phonetically on the card to assist the readers.
  • Line up behind the appropriate standard (sign) dressed in your cap & gown no later than 15 minutes before the start time of the ceremony. Each standard has a list of names. This list will indicate your position in the line. However, do not be concerned if the person behind or ahead of you is absent. This ordering is established for ease of the ceremony, but not everyone invited to participate attends.
  • Note that your convocation line-up may be different from your commencement line-up.
  • No one will be allowed to participate without a cap & gown and the appropriate card(s).

  Processional/Recessional & Ceremony
  • Six student marshals dressed in black caps & gowns will lead the students, department chairs, and stage party into the main arena of Western Hall for the processional.
  • Marshals will assist graduates into the rows of seating.
  • All guests are to be seated in the bleachers. There is an assigned area for disability seating. The main floor is to be used by the convocation participants only.
  • You will be asked to stand for the National Anthem and gentlemen will be asked to remove their caps. Later in the ceremony, all graduates will be instructed to remove their caps and put them under their chairs.
  • Please carefully follow the instructions of the Master of Ceremonies and your student marshals at all times. The marshals are responsible for the flow of the ceremony and will release students at the appropriate time when proceeding to the stage entrance ramp.
  • Graduates will hand the appropriate name card to the reader, and then proceed across the stage to have a medallion draped over their head, and then continue crossing the stage for a handshake with the President, where a photograph will be taken before exiting off the south ramp of the stage and returning to their seat.
  • Graduates will always be asked to exit the row to the right and return to the row from the left.
  • When the ceremony is over, the marshals will release each row of graduates to recess down the center aisle following the stage party.

 
Graduates who are unable to attend the Honors Convocation may pick up their medallion(s) when they pick up their name cards at the Commencement ceremony. Graduates not able to attend either ceremony will receive their medallions in the mail at a later date.