Tony Marcolina | Argonaut
Graduation and Commencement Services Specialist Jamie Garlinghouse shows off the new padded diploma folders to Spring 2013 graduate Anna Kalbrener Wednesday in Garlinghouse’s office at the Registrar’s Office. The new folders will be used in Saturday’s Winter 2012 Commencement Ceremony.
An expected 448 seniors will stroll across stage, shake hands and smile to celebrate their graduation during Saturday’s Winter Commencement.
“There are thousands of details, and there is a lot to overlook on how complicated it is to put on an event like this,” registrar Nancy Krogh said.
The processional line-up for seniors planning to walk begins at 11:30 a.m. on the Kibbie Dome floor while commencement begins at 12:30 p.m.
General seating in the Kibbie Dome is free. Club tickets will be sold for $15, and reserved suite tickets, for up to 12 people per section, will be sold for $350. Krogh said the money from ticket sales go to a commencement support fund.
Even though only 448 seniors will walk, Assistant Registrar Dave Putensen said 831 seniors are expected to graduate, and 858 degrees will be awarded, as some students receive more than one degree.
Winter Commencement is projected to cost approximately $26,000, Putensen said, and is a combined effort between the Registrar’s Office, the President’s Office and Support Services.
“(The process is) getting chairs set up, (planning) how people will march in, making sure pathways are clear at a time (seniors) are a little distracted, it’s photography … safety, parking and comfort for guests,” Krogh said.
Putensen said the commencement price tag adds up quickly, with costs such as labor set-up, equipment rental and especially the video board that comes in multiple screens assembled at the site.
According to the Registrar’s Office, 105,867 students have graduated since 1894. But attending the commencement doesn’t necessarily mean students have graduated, Putensen said.
“It’s different from having earned a degree. It’s symbolized,” Putensen said. “(The Registrar’s Office) goes through a number of checks, to ensure (students) are in compliance with academic regulations and state board requirements … and that GPAs are met.”
After six weeks, if student accounts
are without financial holds, diplomas are sent out.
Lynn Baird, dean of Library Services, will give the commencement address while brothers Arthur (Skip) Oppenheimer, the CEO of Oppenheimer Companies, and Douglas Oppenheimer, the president of Oppenheimer Companies will award honorary degrees.
Photographs for the event will be contracted through a national outfit called GradImages for the first time this year, and Putensen said all attending graduates will receive at free 5×7 of their choice. He said a green screen will be displayed so graduating seniors can chose from selected stock backgrounds, such as an image of the Administration Building.
“I’m biased, but this is the funnest event the university hosts,” Krogh said. “Just enjoy the day.”
Lindsey Treffry can be reached at [email protected]