Caps, Gowns, and Announcements

Cap and gown orders may be placed in the Bookstore until May 1, 2008. Caps and gowns are now ready for pick-up in the Bookstore. The regalia will be available two weeks prior to graduation.

Announcements may be purchased online at www.herffjones.com. The Bookstore sells generic invitations for $1.60 each. Hours of operation are Monday 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Your Graduates can preregister their email, friends and family email addresses and Graduation Images will contact them just as soon as their photos are available for online viewing and ordering.... http://www.gradimages.com/Register.cfm

Graduation Rehearsal

Graduation rehearsal will be held for graduates and faculty helpers Thursday,
May 15, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in the Crowder College Gymnasium. Please review the Processional Guidelines. If you have questions or concerns please contact Shirley Gray, (417) 455-5697.

Commencement Ceremony

The commencement will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m., May 17, 2008 in the Crowder College Gymnasium. All graduates should report to Newton Hall Lobby at 10:00 a.m. on the day of Commencement to prepare for the processional. Graduates arriving late to the ceremony will be seated in the last row(s) of the graduates seating area. Diplomas will not be distributed at the ceremony; however, candidates will receive a leather diploma cover as they cross the stage. The Records Office will mail the diploma to the graduates approximately ten weeks after graduation. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Nicole Striegel, (417) 455-5636, Rhonda Helm, Co-coordinators, (417) 455-5664 or Shirley Gray, Records Office, (417) 455-5697. This is your commencement and we will do what we can to accommodate your needs.

Honors Breakfast and Awards

Students receiving honors at graduation will be recognized at the Spring Honors Breakfast starting at 8:00 a.m. in the Cafeteria located in Newton Hall. Letters will be mailed to the recipients with information about the event prior to graduation.

In the Event of rain or inclement weather

In the event of rain or inclement weather, the Commencement will still be held in the Crowder College Gymnasium. No processional will occur. Arrive at the Gymnasium before 10:00 a.m. and go to the seating section designated for your degree and be seated.

Commencement Reception

The Commencement Reception will be held immediately following the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. everyone is invited to attend. Complimentary cookies and drinks will be provided.

Parents, Family, and Guests

On May 17, 2008 Crowder College will hold its Commencement ceremony for the 2008 graduates. It is an exciting time and we want this to be a special time for the graduates, their family and friends. For the graduates’ convenience we ask all guests to arrive early. The commencement will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. Family and guests will be allowed in the gymnasium as early as 10:00 a.m. for seating. The processional of graduates will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. and all guests must be assembled and seated in the gymnasium.

Parking

Because of limited campus parking we are encouraging our graduates, family, and guests to arrive early. Escorts will be on-site to assist graduates, family, and guests to available parking areas and handicapped parking.

Limited mobility or special needs?

Please contact Dr. Nicole Striegel, (417) 455-5636 or Rhonda Helm , (417)455-5664, Commencement Co-Coordinators. Guests having limited mobility or special needs are strongly advised to arrive early (at least one hour before the ceremony begins). Allow plenty of time to park, enter the Crowder College Gymnasium and find convenient seating. The admission doors will open at 10:00 a.m.

Graduation Restrictions

Restrictions: Graduates must be properly dressed for the commencement ceremony which includes academic regalia preferably dress clothes and shoes. Flip-flop shoes, jeans, or revealing white sport socks will not be allowed.

The policy of prohibiting the use of alcohol will be enforced. Please consider the importance of this occasion for yourself, your classmates and those who have come to share this day with you. Refrain from including alcohol in your celebration. Students who arrive at the ceremony intoxicated or who use alcohol during the ceremony will be removed from the festivities.

Animals: The policy prohibiting animals in the Gymnasium will be enforced. Pets are not allowed at the ceremony. Students with pets will not be allowed into the ceremony. Graduates with limited mobility or special needs for accommodations please contact Dr. Nicole Striegel, (417)455-5636 or Rhonda Helm (417)455-5664, Commencement Co-Coordinators. Guests having limited mobility or special needs are strongly advised to arrive early (at least one hour before the ceremony begins). Trained assistance animals will be allowed.

Cell Phones: Please turn off all cell phones and pagers during the ceremony.

Other: Balloons, camera tripods, air horns, and other items are disruptive to the ceremony and/or obstruct the view of other guests and will not be allowed in the Gymnasium.

Photographs: Family and friends wishing to take photographs of candidates are requested to do so either from their seats or before the ceremony. Photos may be taken near the stage area after the ceremony. Hearts of America/Chappell Photography will be available if you would like special group photographs. It is disruptive to have numerous people rushing the stage during the presentation of certificates for photographs. Please respect the dignity of the ceremony. To view some of last years photos click here.

Commencement Tips:

The tassel should be moved away from the audience side when approaching the stage. Be sure the tassel is away from your face as you cross the stage. The tassel should be on the right side of the hat.

Hair should be styled away from the face so it will not block the camera’s view when crossing the stage.

Smile and make eye contact with the presenter when you shake hands.

Questions: Contact Dr. Nicole Striegel, (417)455-5636 or Rhonda Helm, (417) 455-5664, Commencement Co-Coordinator.

Commencement 2008 Ceremony, Program Order

Guests: The Crowder College Auditorium will be open at 10:00 a.m. for guests to be seated.

Assembly of Candidates and Processional:

Graduates and faculty members will assemble, in academic dress, near the main entrance of Newton Hall at 10:00 a.m. Regalia will not be available at the ceremony.

Once in line, graduates will be given a card (and pencil) to PRINT their name and the name(s) of their program(s).

If you think the name(s) may be difficult to pronounce, PRINT the name phonetically so it can be easily read.

WRITE LEGIBLY! The announcer needs to be able to read this on the stage AND these cards are given to the professional photographer after the ceremony for use in mailing your proofs.

Order of Procession: All faculty members and students should report to the Newton Hall Lobby at 10:00 a.m. on the day of Commencement to prepare for the processional.

The stage party will enter 10 minutes prior to the entry of graduates. As graduates enter all guests will stand and remain standing until the singing of the National Anthem and the recessional of the color guards.

The order of the procession: color guards, faculty marshal, faculty and candidates.

Faculty: Faculty should report to the Newton Hall Lobby at 10:00 a.m. on the day of Commencement to prepare for the processional. Faculty will form two lines during the processional. Faculty will be seated near the stage after the graduates have all entered their seating area. The Neosho High School Color Guards will lead the professional. All graduates, faculty, and guests are to remain standing during the recessional of the color guards and the singing of the National Anthem.

Graduates will line up in one line by degree or program. Once in line, please remain in line with your degree to avoid gaps in the procession and equal seating. Candidates will be seated with other students in their degree, on the main floor of the Gymnasium.

Stand behind or in front of whomever you wish to sit with.

Seating arrangements will be outlined at the rehearsal on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in the Crowder College Gymnasium. Please make every effort to attend the rehearsal to avoid any problems on commencement day.

The only thing in the graduates’ hands should be their name card. Programs will be available on the seats.

The processional lineup will begin at 10:00 a.m. SHARP.

Conferring of Degrees:

At the appropriate time in the program the Dean of Instruction will ask the candidates to rise. After the degree is conferred ushers will direct candidates (by rows) to come forward.

Graduates Crossing the Stage:

Ushers will direct candidates, one row at a time, to the stage. Graduates should not get up before their row has been directed to do so by the usher.

You will be visible to every seat in the Gymnasium as you line up.

Be quiet while you are in line waiting your turn to go on the stage. Please respect the dignity of the ceremony.

Graduate will proceed on the stage.

Graduate will present name card to the Dean of Instruction for announcement and recognition of your name and program.

Photographs during the ceremony.

A professional photographer will be taking individual photographs of each candidate as they cross the stage during the ceremony. Family and friends wishing to take photographs of candidates are requested to do so either from their seats or before and after the ceremony. It is disruptive to have numerous people rushing to the stage during the presentation of certificates for photographs. Please respect the dignity of the ceremony.

Graduates will cross the stage and be presented with their leather diploma covers by the Crowder College Board of Trustees. Once presented with the leather diploma cover the graduates will cross the stage to shake hands with the Crowder College President, Dr. Alan Marble.

Graduates will be directed by the ushers to return to their seats and remain standing until everyone in their row has crossed the stage. The usher will then notify the graduates to be seated.

Crowder Alma Mater

Once all candidates have been presented their leather diploma covers the graduates will be asked to stand. The College President will say a few words and congratulate the graduates and then dismiss the graduates.

Closing Remarks

Recessional: The announcer will ask guests to remain seated for the recessional.

Order of recessional: stage party, faculty and graduates. Audience members should remain in their seats until the recessional has exited the Crowder College Gymnasium.