close

More than 600 students will celebrate achievements during Commencement

By Nick Farrell executive Editor 3 min read
article image -

More than 600 undergraduate and graduate students will receive degrees during Waynesburg University’s 164th Commencement Exercises Sunday, May 3.

As is tradition, this year’s Commencement Day festivities include the baccalaureate service at 11 a.m. and the Commencement service at 2 p.m.

“This concludes an accomplishment they’ve worked on for a few years, particularly for undergrads,” said Kerry Purnell, assistant registrar. “I think it’s a fantastic time for families to come together as well as graduates and have that celebratory day.”

All degree candidates are requested to arrive in the Marsh Center at 10 a.m., where they will robe and line up for the procession at 10:30 a.m. Students will not wear caps or hoods during the service.

The baccalaureate service will begin in Roberts Chapel at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Peter J. Paris, professor of Christian Social Ethics at Princeton Theological Seminary, delivering the address. The procession will begin 10 minutes before the beginning of the service.

Following the baccalaureate service, the graduate luncheon in Benedum Dining Hall will begin. Students may bring two guests to the luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. All guests must present tickets at the door, which were provided to students in their graduation packets.

Students may also obtain their honors cords and academic excellence pins after the conclusion of the baccalaureate service until shortly before 1 p.m. (The university regulates academic regalia adornments. For more on these policies, see AA4 .)

At 12:30 p.m., guest seating begins for the Commencement service on the Miller Hall lawn, with the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse serving as the inclement weather site. According to the university’s website, guests who do not wish to sit outside during the ceremony may view a live stream remotely inside Miller Hall, Buhl Hall, the Goodwin Performing Arts Center and the Stover Campus Center. Guests who do not have tickets to the Commencement seating inside the inclement weather site are asked to utilize these remote-viewing sites.

Graduates must arrive in the gymnasium at 1 p.m. to begin lining up for the Commencement procession. According to instructions on the university website, promptness is required; any student who arrives late to the lineup will risk receiving his or her diploma at the end of the granting of degrees portion of the ceremony and may not sit with other students in that specific degree category.

Dr. James Bush, assistant faculty marshal, will assist students during the lineup and procession. Graduates will line up in alphabetical order, double file, based on their degree.

Commencement exercises begin at 2 p.m. The Rev. David A. Zubik, bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, will deliver the Commencement address.

According to instructions from the university, students are not to carry flowers during the procession, use their cell phones at any time or wear high-heeled shoes during the outdoor ceremony.

Caps are to be worn throughout Commencement, with exceptions during the invocation, National Anthem and benediction.

Student participation in Commencement exercises is a requirement. The Office of the Registrar requires any students wishing to opt out of the obligation to contact them and state their conflict.

The Commencement and baccalaureate services can be viewed live online at waynesburg.edu.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today