Commencement
May 17-18, 2008
Herring-Cole Hall
Resources for Seniors

Graduation Checklist

Declaration to Graduate Form

Completing Your Financial Obligation

Graduation announcements

The Class of 2008: Grad School and Career Plans

Senior Dinner Dance Reservation Form

Archive feature: Commencements Then and Now


Future Commencement Dates

May 17, 2009
May 16, 2010
May 22, 2011
May 20, 2012
May 19, 2013

Congratulations to the Class of 2008! This page will be updated regularly as new information develops in our planning.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 17


2 p.m.         
Friends of the Libraries Lecture 
Herring-Cole Hall

Professor Emerita of Sport and Leisure Studies Dotty Hall

"St. Lawrence, Me and Title IX Made Three: Emergence and Growth of Women’s Sports at St. Lawrence University 1972-2000”

3 p.m.          
Phi Beta Kappa Induction
Gunnison Chapel

The national honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, has had a chapter on the St. Lawrence campus since 1899.  About 10% of the Senior class is elected to membership. The ceremony is open to all as a celebration of academic achievement.

3:30 - 5  p.m.              
President's Reception for graduates, parents, faculty and trustees
MacAllaster House

President Daniel F. and Ann H. Sullivan, with faculty and trustees, look forward to greeting you at this annual special event.

5 p.m.
Commencement Concert - The Laurentian Singers
Gunnison Chapel

6:15 p.m.  
Roman Catholic Mass          
Gunnison Chapel             

6:30 p.m.                         
Senior Class Dinner Dance
Leithead Fieldhouse

This annual event is planned entirely by the Senior Class, and is a chance to gather with other families for a great dinner and wonderful music. Open to those who have purchased tickets in advance.

Sunday, May 18

8:15 a.m.                     
Baccalaureate Service of Celebration
Gunnison Chapel
Baccalaureate is a traditional interfaith service of reading, poetry and music, a chance for reflection and thought before the Commencement Ceremony begins

9 a.m.                          
Seniors begin robing and line-up.
Noble Center Quad or Appleton Arena

10 a.m.                        
Commencement
Creasy Commencement Commons or Appleton Arena

Commencement will be followed by a reception in the Herring-Cole Grove or Leithead Field House.

St. Lawrence will honor three people, each of whom will speak at graduation, with honorary degrees:

David L. Warren, president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; Kevin Klose, president of National Public Radio; and Carol Newell '79, founder of the Sage Foundation and Endswell Foundation.

In addition, the North Country Citation will be awarded to Kenneth Andrews, the music director and conductor for the Orchestra of Northern New York. For more information

12 noon
ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Herring-Cole Hall

1 - 3 p.m.
Buffet lunch available at $5 per person in Dana Dining Hall. Seniors are guests of the University. Grab a last bite before beginning your travels home!

6 p.m.                         
Residences close
Campus and Commencement Services

Accessibility:  
Graduate with family members who require special assistance should have made contact with University communications for arrangements on special seating and parking. 

Accommodations:
St. Lawrence opens its residence halls to families at a charge of $35 per person per night, for Friday and Saturday nights. Students should visit Residence Life in person to make reservations.

Announcements:  
Brewer Bookstore sells graduation announcements during the spring semester. 

Brewer Bookstore:
Friday, May 16: 8:00am-8:00pm
Saturday, May 17:  8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday, May 18:  8:00am-5:00pm

Brush Art Gallery:
Friday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm                                                                               
Saturday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm                                                                                                   

Caps and Gowns: 
Caps and gowns are provided to seniors courtesy of
St. Lawrence through Brewer Bookstore and available Senior Week.

Dining:  
Campus dining halls will be open during the weekend and meals will be served on a cash basis.

Flowers:
Bouquets for your graduate may be purchased at the Student Center on Sunday morning, May 18, from local florist White’s Flowers.

Owen D. Young and Launders Science Library:
Friday (both libraries) 8:30 am-4:30pm
Saturday (both libraries) 10:00am-4:30pm
Commencement Sunday: Owen D. Young Library- 8:00am-3:00pm
(Launders Science Library is closed on Sunday)

Parking:
 
Parents and guests should use the parking facilities on the perimeter of campus and enjoy St. Lawrence's walking campus.  Please call 5555 to arrange a ride.  No vehicles will be allowed inside the campus perimeter after Saturday at 5 p.m.  The University also will provide shuttle service from 8:30 to 10 a.m. from parking lot E to the Commencement site and from noon to 2 p.m. from the Commencement site to Parking Lot E for those guests who have difficulty walking distances.  Parking Lot E will be reserved for families with Special Access Parking passes.  Security staff, student Emergency Medical Technicians and Student Safety Patrol members will be on campus to assist as well.

Photography: 
The University has engaged Genesee Photo Systems to capture the moment each student receives his or her diploma.  Genesee Photo Systems will send proofs to students’ home addresses and families may elect to purchase photos directly from this firm. 

We also have engaged a professional videography firm, Collegeiate Video, to produce a DVD of Commencement, families may order the DVD in advance of Commencement or after the weekend. Information has been sent directly to families; visit Collegiate Video's Web site.

Families are invited to photograph or record the awarding of degrees from the designated area at the left side of the stage.

Tickets:
  
There are no tickets needed for graduation. Our facilities accommodate all guests.

Weather:  
Commencement is held outdoors on the Creasy Commencement Commons. Check the weather reports to determine appropriate attire.  If Commencement is moved indoors, the Commencement Web site will be updated Saturday afternoon. No tickets are necessary in either an outdoor or indoor location.

Updated April 2008

2007 Recap

Speech Texts
President Daniel F. Sullivan
John D. Gursky '07
Jane Hamilton
Jeanne Narum
Robert Montgomery'82

Biographies of Honorary Degree and North Country Citation Recipients
Jane Hamilton
Dr. Robert Montgomery '82
Jeanne Narum
Bob Pettee and Susan Neal

2006 Recap