May 10 is a date circled on the calendar of more than 300 Tusculum College students who will reach the successful completion of an educational journey by earning degrees during the Spring Commencement Ceremony that day.
Two ceremonies are planned and both will take place in the Pioneer Arena of the Niswonger Commons. The first will be at 10 a.m. and will include students earning degrees from the Residential College program, from master’s degree programs in education and the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) bachelor’s degree program in education. The second will be at 1:30 p.m. and include Master of Business Administration graduates and the students earning degrees from the GPS bachelor’s programs in organizational management, business administration and psychology.
Tusculum College applauds the graduates for their hard-earned achievements and is preparing for May 10 as a day of celebration for the newest alumni and their families. The College is busy making preparations to make the day a memorable one and you can help.
With the construction last year of two new residence halls, the number of parking spaces available on campus has been reduced. Family members are asked to carpool if possible rather than bring multiple cars to the ceremony to help lessen congestion on campus. As you arrive on campus, security personnel will direct you to a parking area.
If you are any of your family members or guests requires special handicapped seating accommodations, please contact Bobbie Greenway no later than December 13 at 423-636-7300 ext. 5154 so your needs can be addressed. There will be handicapped parking available in the large parking lot at the Niswonger Commons. Please let the security personnel directing traffic and parking know that you need handicapped parking if it is needed and they will direct you to the lot. Please note that Tusculum will not be able to provide wheelchairs. Those with special seating accommodations are asked to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.
You can also help by helping your graduate be at the Pioneer Arena in time for graduation practice. For the morning ceremony, practice begins at 8:45 a.m. and it begins 12:15 p.m. for the 1:30 p.m. ceremony. Graduates who arrive prior to the practice times are asked to report to the cafeteria.
Graduates are not allowed to have personnel items such as purses and cameras with them during the ceremony. You can assist them by obtaining these items from them prior to graduation practice and holding them. Prior to the practice is a good time for this and other communication between you and your graduate because after graduation practice, the graduates go to the cafeteria where they placed in order for the procession and for the ceremony. It is easier for the College staff getting the graduates in line if they stay inside the cafeteria during this period.
The Pioneer Arena will open for guest seating after completion of the rehearsal. Guests are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.
No tickets are required for graduation and there is no limit on the number of guests per graduate. However, to help provide seating for all, guests are asked to not hold seats for others in the last 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.
Programs will be placed on the seat of each graduate and they will be distributed to guests at the Pioneer Arena primary entrances. For graduates unable to attend the ceremony, diplomas will be mailed to the graduates’ home addresses after Commencement Day provided all academic and financial obligations are satisfied.
To help preserve the prestigious decorum of the commencement ceremony, guests are asked to observe the following:
- As a courtesy to other attendees, please consider making alternative arrangements for very young children. Due to fire marshal regulations, no baby carriers or strollers will be allowed in the auditorium.
- Cell phones are to be turned off or switched to the silent operating mode during the ceremony. Do not speak on a cell phone or carry on a conversation during the ceremony as this prevents others from hearing and enjoying the ceremony.
- Commencement is both a joyous and solemn event. Please express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speaker and enjoying the ceremony. Use of air horns, yelling or stomping are disruptive.
- Please refrain from taking pictures until after your graduate receives his or her diploma. This will allow the ceremony to flow smoothly and reduce the distractions and disturbances to other audience members as they try to see and hear ongoing presentations.
- As a courtesy to and out of respect for your fellow graduates, you and your family are requested to remain in the auditorium until the conclusion of the ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the faculty traditionally forms a gauntlet and applauds the graduates as they recess from the auditorium. We ask that your family and friends be respectful of this tradition and remain in the auditorium until the graduates have exited the auditorium.