The 136th WPU Commencement ceremony for traditional campus and CWA students will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the Penn Activity Center (PAC). Doors will be open for seating at 12:30 p.m. Please be in your regalia in the lower gym at 1:30 p.m. Traditional campus students will line up by division and in alphabetical order. CWA students will line up by cohort. The traditional campus students will line up on the west side of the gym and the CWA students will line up on the east side of the gym, facing the northwest gym door. Staff members will be present to assist you. The procession will leave the lower gym and process through the field house and into the PAC. You will be directed by the Junior Marshals to process to your seat.

During the processional, your tassel will be worn on the right side. Men will remove their caps for the Invocation and leave them off until the “Conferring of Degrees.” Women will keep their caps on throughout the service. Men will again remove their caps for the Benediction and replace them for the Recessional. (Watch the platform party). After the Board of Trustees member announces that the degree is conferred, you may shift your tassel to the left.

You will be asked to rise at appropriate times during the ceremony. Please remain standing until given the signal to be seated. At the conclusion of the ceremony remain standing for the Recessional. The convener & platform party leave first, followed by the honored guests and faculty. Graduates then follow as directed by the Junior Marshals.

BLUE AND GOLD CEREMONY:

Immediately following Commencement, graduates will recess to the front lawn of Penn Hall where the Alumni Association will lead you in the Blue and Gold Ceremony. This Penn tradition launches our graduates off into the world, holding on to a piece of history. The Blue and Gold Ceremony will be held in the lower gym if it is raining.

IMPORTANT GRADUATION INFORMATION:

• The bookstore will be open from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., and one hour after graduation on Saturday for families to shop before and after the ceremony.
• If you have not yet picked up your cap and gown, please visit the bookstore or contact Heidi Parker at 641-673-1031. There is no cost to you for your cap and gown, and they are yours to keep following the ceremony.                    
• Standard graduation announcements are available for sale at the bookstore.
• Please turn in your photo and DVD order forms (see attached) and money by Friday, May 7.
• Honor cords will be available the day of Commencement in the Registrar’s office from 1 – 1:30. To be eligible for an honor cord, you must have completed all requirements for graduation at the time of the ceremony and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
• Parking – Please take North Market (Highway 63) to R Avenue West (north of Atkins Memorial Union), and drive west on R Avenue West to parking on the west side of the activity center.
• Your Account – Your account balance must be paid in full and Perkins Loan exit complete by April 15, 2010, in order to receive your diploma at the ceremony.  If you have any questions, contact the Business Services Office at 641-673-1397.     
• Seating is not reserved but is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
• Should a member of your family be disabled or unable to sit in the bleachers, please notify the Registrar’s Office by April 30, 2010 at 641-673-1082 and special seating will be arranged.
• Please dress professionally and appropriately.
• The ceremony will be broadcasted later by Mahaska Communications Group on MCG Channel 12.  Please refer to www.mahaska.org for specific dates and times.

Congratulations, 2010 Graduates!

The 2010 Commencement ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, in the Penn Activity Center (PAC). Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.

Pre-Commencement

• Intent to Graduate form and related fees are valid only for the academic year indicated and must have already been filed by February 2 if you are to receive an actual diploma at Commencement.
• “No Walk” Form: If you choose not to participate in Commencement, return the  “no-walk” form by March 5 to the registrar’s office. This form is also available on Eagle (Academics tab, then Academic Information).
• Cap & Gown and Announcements: You may pick up regalia at the campus bookstore Grad Event March 11, 2 – 6 p.m. You also may order personalized announcements at this event or by calling 1-800-353-5299 or online at www.jostens.com (must be ordered no later than March 20). Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. You may also order a class ring at this time, or go to Jostens.com. If you have any questions about regalia, announcements or rings, contact Heidi Parker at 641-673-1031. After the Commencement ceremony, the regalia are yours to keep.  
• Campus Bookstore Hours: May 8, 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., and one hour after graduation;  www.wmpennbooks.net
• Honor Cords: Can be picked up in the registrar’s office (Penn Hall 217) between 1:00 and 1:30 on May 8.
• Photographs: You may purchase a professional photograph taken at the moment you receive your diploma. The ceremony will also be video-taped. Open photo order form.  Open DVD order form.
• Verification of Graduation Requirements: Final verification of graduation requirements for May candidates will be conducted as grade reports are completed. If unexpected problems arise, we will make a good faith effort to contact you. Please do not call the registrar’s office for grades or graduation status. You may check your grades on EAGLE by logging on to the William Penn Web site at: https://eagle.wmpenn.edu/ics/.
• Your Account: To receive your diploma at the ceremony, yur account balance must be paid in full and Perkins/William Penn Loan exit interview completed by April 15, 2010, in order to receive your diploma at the ceremony. If you have any questions, contact the business office at 641-673-1397.
• Handicapped Seating: Please notify the registrar’s office at 641-673-1082 by April 30, 2010, if a member of your family needs special seating arrangements due to a disability.

• Upon completion of all remaining requirements, August graduates will receive their diplomas and honor cords (qualified candidates) in the mail in September.

Visitor Information Link

If you have family members arriving from out of town who may not be familiar with the Oskaloosa area, please share the Vistor Information link with them. NOTE: a major tourist event will take place in Pella (15 miles from Oskaloosa) the same weekend as your graduation celebration. Hotels will be in high demand. If you have guests who will need hotel accomodations, please encourage them to book their rooms early.