SOE Diploma Ceremony - May 16, 2020 at 12:00 pm
Finally, the big day has arrived!
Invitations
Graduating students will be emailed an invitation for the School of Education Diploma Ceremony by mid-April. When you receive it, be sure to RSVP via the link provided in the invitation so that we know you will be attending.
Student Seating at the SOE Diploma Ceremony
If you are planning to attend the SOE ceremony, you MUST RSVP to the invitation that you receive. Seating will be determined by RSVP's. The seating chart will be sent out to all participating graduates several days prior to the ceremony. Graduates will be seated according to program areas: Undergraduates; Curriculum & Instruction master's; Educational Policy Planning & Leadership master's; School Psychology & Counselor Education master's; Education Specialists; and doctoral graduates. When you arrive at the courtyard, you will find your seat under the tent. You will find your name card on your chair. During the ceremony, you will be asked for this name card so that you can be introduced appropriately to the audience. Please feel free to spell your name phonetically on the card.
Regalia
You are required to wear regalia at the SOE ceremony.
Photographer
There will be a photographer at the ceremony. The photographer will email you proofs after the event. There is no obligation to purchase the pictures, but it is a service we provide just in case you want professional pictures to capture the big event.
Guests
Guest tickets are not required for the School of Education’s Diploma Ceremony. The ceremony is open to all family members and guests of our degree candidates. We do provide reserved seating for guests with special needs. If you have a guest with a special need, please [[graded, email us]] and let us know.
Parking
School of Education students and families are encouraged to park in the lots surrounding the School of Education or those surrounding William & Mary Hall. Handicapped parking is available on either side of the School of Education building. The main ceremony takes place in Zable Stadium prior to the SOE diploma ceremony. Students who need special accommodations for either the main ceremony or departmental ceremonies should contact Student Accessibility Services in the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office is located in the Campus Center, Room 109 or can be reached by phone at 757-221-2510.
The School of Education Diploma Ceremony
Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.
After the main ceremony, our graduates from our undergraduate and graduate programs will celebrate their accomplishments at the School of Education. Those graduates who attended the main ceremony will congregate at the corner of the Rec Center and William & Mary Hall at approximately 11:40 am, and then march over with our dean and faculty via the pedestrian walkway. (If you didn't attend the main ceremony, join your SOE fellow students and faculty outside the Rec Center, around 11:40 pm)
Family members are welcome to follow the procession of graduates along the walkway if they choose to walk to the School of Education.
The ceremony at the School of Education will be held outside in our beautiful courtyard, behind the facility. If you do not participate in the procession, just come directly to the courtyard to find your seat. Staff will be present to assist you.
Reception
After the ceremony, students and their guests are invited to join their area faculty for light refreshments:
- Curriculum and Instruction area (UG and MAEd programs) will meet in the Matoaka Woods room
- Educational, Policy, Planning and Leadership – EPPL will meet in the Dogwood room
- School Psychology and Counselor Education – SPACE will meet in the Holly room
Graduates Who Do Not Attend the SOE ceremony
If you don't attend the SOE ceremony, you will have to contact the University Registrar to make arrangement for pick up one week after the ceremony.