FALL 2024 COMMENCEMENT GUIDE

FALL 2024 COMMENCEMENT GUIDE

FROM THE

PRESIDENT Dear Guests, On behalf of the University of West Alabama family, I wish to thank you for the support you have shown to your graduate throughout their time at UWA. We welcome you to campus for commencement exercises as we celebrate the many achievements of our graduates. You are a special part of this day because of the support and encouragement you have shown throughout your graduate’s journey.

Our student body represents approximately 25 states in the U.S. and 30 countries around the globe. All uniquely talented, each graduate has followed a path unlike any other, including both the hurdles and the victories, and each has a special path moving forward.

This guide provides information you will need as a ticket-holding guest of a graduate, including a map and directions, available services, traditions, and even pertinent information that we have provided to graduates over the last several weeks that you can help remind them of as they prepare for the day. We strive to make this day enjoyable for our graduates and guests as we follow the traditions of commencement with decorum and honor.

This is the day we have all strived for, and we thank you for all that you have done for your graduate to reach this very special milestone.

Sincerely,

Ken Tucker, Ph.d

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ALL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES WILL

GRADUATES SHOULD PLAN TO CHECK-IN AT

TAKE PLACE IN UWA AUDITORIUM IN THE

PRUITT GYMNASIUM ONE HOUR BEFORE THE

MATH & SCIENCE BUILDING.

CEREMONY START TIME.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12

1:00 PM EDD, EDS, MED Doctor of Rural Education Education Specialist Master of Education

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13

10:00 AM

1:00 PM

DON, ETEC, COLA, NSM

COE & COB

NURSING

EDUCATION

BS - Nursing

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY BS - Technology, Eng. Tech BBA - CIS

LIBERAL ARTS

BS - Liberal Arts MAT - English Language Arts MA - IMC MS - Family Counseling

NATURAL SCIENCES & MATH BS - NSM MS - Conservation Biology, Sports Mgt. MAT - Physical Education, Math

BS - Education, IDS MS - Adult Continuing Education MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling

BUSINESS BBA - Business MBA

ALL CEREMONIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FALL GRADUATION HAS PASSED ON OCTOBER 21.

GRAD LUNCH Lunch provided by UWA Alumni to all participating graduates and 4 ticketed guests for a celebratory lunch at Young Hall Cafeteria. Join UWA Alumni & Friends to celebrate your accomplishments from 11 - 1 on your ceremony day.

11

a.m.

lunch will be served until 1:00 pm.

COMMENCEMENT OVERVIEW

ASSEMBLY LOCATION FOR

ATTIRE FOR GRADUATES

GRADUATES

THERE IS NO REHEARSAL FOR THE CEREMONY. ALL PARTICIPATING GRADUATES MUST ARRIVE 1 HOUR PRIOR TO THE START OF THEIR COLLEGE CEREMONY AT PRUITT GYMNASIUM. EARLY ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHECK IN UNTIL THEIR DESIGNATED TIMES. GUESTS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THE HOLDING LOCATION. WHAT GRADUATES NEED TO BRING ALL GRADUATES SHOULD BE DRESSED IN COMPLETE REGALIA ITEMS, INCLUDING ANY HOODS, MORTARBOARDS, GOWNS, STOLES AND CORDS. GRADUATES WILL NEED TO LOCK VALUABLES IN THEIR VEHICLE OR ASK A GUEST TO CARRY BULKY ITEMS AS THERE IS NO AVAILABLE STORAGE SPACE. GRADUATES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED BACK INTO THE HOLDING ROOMS FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY.

THE DECORATION OF CAPS IS NOT ALLOWED FOR THE CEREMONY. GRADUATES WILL BE ASKED TO REMOVE DECORATED CAPS. GRADUATES SHOULD WEAR DARK SHOES AND CLOTHES THAT WILL HARMONIZE WITH THE ACADEMIC REGALIA. APPROPRIATE ATTIRE INCLUDES DRESSES AND/OR PANTSUITS, DARK SLACKS, DARK TIES, AND DARK SHOES AND SOCKS. JEWELRY THAT “DANGLES” OR “JANGLES” SHOULD BE AVOIDED. PLEASE WEAR FLAT SHOES OR WEDGES. GRADUATES WILL BE WALKING ACROSS PARTS OF CAMPUS AND UP AND DOWN SETS OF STAIRS. THE MORTARBOARD (CAP) SHOULD BE WORN PARALLEL TO THE FLOOR WITH THE TASSEL ON THE LEFT SIDE.

COMMENCEMENT OVERVIEW

THE CEREMONY

GUESTS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT GRADUATE CHECK IN OR IN THE HOLDING ROOMS. WE ASK THAT THE GRADUATING STUDENTS AND THEIR GUESTS ADHERE TO THE PROPER DECORUM FOR THIS HALLOWED EVENT. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PROCESSIONAL.

FOLLOWING THE GRADUATE PRESENTATION, GUESTS WILL BE ASKED TO STAND FOR THE EXITING OF THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY, FACULTY AND GRADUATES. ONCE THE CEREMONY ENDS, GUESTS WILL EXIT THE MAIN ENTRY OF THE BUILDING TO MEET GRADUATES OUTSIDE OF THE MATH & SCIENCE BUILDING.

THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY WILL LAST APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR. OUT OF RESPECT FOR ALL DEGREE CANDIDATES, ONCE SEATED, ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO STAY UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF THE CEREMONY. HOLD ALL APPLAUSE UNTIL THE GROUP HAS FINISHED.

PLEASE TAKE YOUR PHOTOS QUICKLY AND THEN DEPART TO HELP TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC/PARKING FOR THE CEREMONY THAT WILL FOLLOW.

COMMENCEMENT OVERVIEW

GUEST TICKETS

GUESTS MUST HAVE A TICKET TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE CEREMONY. TICKETS CAN BE PRINTED OR PRESENTED ON A MOBILE DEVICE. TICKETS HAVE A UNIQUE CODING AND MAY NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE AUDITORIUM WILL OPEN FOR TICKETED GUESTS 35 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE START OF THE CEREMONY.

WE KNOW THAT GUESTS MAY WANT TO COME EARLIER TO BE SURE TO GET A SEAT, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE ISSUED A LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS TO PARTICIPATING GRADUATES, THERE IS NO NEED TO COME EARLIER THAN THIS. EACH INDIVIDUAL, REGARDLESS OF AGE, MUST HAVE A TICKET. NO GUESTS WILL BE PERMITTED TO REMAIN AT THE AUDITORIUM FOLLOWING THEIR GRADUATES CEREMONY.

GUESTS ACCESSIBILITY

GUESTS NEEDING ACCESSIBLITY ACCOMODATION SHOULD PARK IN THE DESIGNATED SPOTS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE MATH & SCIENCE BUILDING. A STATE-ISSUED ACCESSIBLITY PLACARD OR PLATE IS REQUIRED.

GUESTS OR GRADUATES IN NEED OF WHEELCHAIRS OR OTHER MOBILITY AIDS SHOULD MAKE PROVISIONS TO BRING THOSE WITH THEM. WHEELCHAIRS AND OTHER MOBILITY AIDS ARE NOT PROVIDED. LIMITED ACCESSIBLE SEATING IS AVAILABLE IN THE AUDITORIUM.

PHOTOGRAPHY

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION

GUESTS CAN EXPECT TO TAKE PHOTOS WITH THEIR GRADUATES AFTER THE CEREMONY. ZAP PHOTOGRAPHY WILL TAKE PICTURES PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY IN PRUITT GYMANSIUM.

GUESTS SHOULD ENTER ON BIBB GRAVES DRIVE AND PARK AROUND THE QUAD. OVERFLOW PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN WALLACE HALL PARKING LOT.

DURING THE CEREMONY, OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL BE ON THE FLOOR TAKING PHOTOS OF EACH GRADUATE RECEIVING A DIPLOMA AND SHAKING HANDS WITH THE PRESIDENT. THEY WILL ALSO TAKE CANDID PHOTOGRAPHS. ALL PHOTOS WILL BE SHARED ON UWA SOCIAL PLATFORMS.

WE HOPE YOU WILL CELEBRATE WITH UWA ALUMNI AT THE CAF. THE MEAL IS PROVIDED

BY ALUMNI FOR PARTICIPATING GRADUATES AND THEIR TICKETED GUESTS.

LIVE VIDEO STREAM

UWA BOOKSTORE

THE CEREMONY CAN BE VIEWED VIA LIVE STREAM AT UWA.EDU/LIVE SO FAMILY AND FRIENDS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND CAN WATCH THE CEREMONY.

BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSTORE LOCATED AT THE STUDENT UNION BUILDING WILL BE OPEN EACH DAY FROM 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

VIEWERS CAN SIMPLY CLICK THE LINK TO WATCH THE CEREMONY. THERE ARE NO OVERFLOW LOCATIONS AVAILABLE.

DINING TIPS

HONORS AT COMMENCEMENT THE LATIN HONORS SYSTEM APPLIES ONLY TO BACCALAUREATE DEGREE CANDIDATES. THESE GPABASED HONORS (CUM LAUDE, MAGNA CUM LAUDE, AND SUMMA CUM LAUDE) DO NOT APPLY TO STUDENTS BEYOND THE BACCALAUREATE LEVEL. HONOR STOLES ARE WORN BY BACCALAUREATE DEGREE CANDIDATES HAVING MET THE CRITERIA CORRESPONDING WITH THE LATIN HONORS SYSTEM UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR DEGREE. THESE ARE GOLD IN COLOR, WITH THE HONOR LEVEL EMBROIDERED. THIS STOLE SHOULD NOT BE WORN UNDER THE GOWN OR UNDER ANY OTHER STOLE, AS IT REPRESENTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, SUPERIOR TO ACHIEVEMENT OR INVOLVEMENT OUTSIDE OF ACADEMICS AS IT RELATES TO THE FORMAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY. HONOR CORDS ARE WORN IN REPRESENTATION OF HONOR SOCIETIES OF WHICH THE GRADUATING STUDENT IS A MEMBER. NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETIES FOR ACADEMICS AND LEADERSHIP HAVE DISTINCT CORDS (GENERALLY A BRAIDED CORD OF 1-2 COLORS, WORN AROUND THE NECK ATOP A STOLE, IF APPLICABLE) THAT ARE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AND ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE HONOR SOCIETY OR ORGANIZATION. (SEE HONOR CORDS & STOLES AT CEREMONY INFORMATION) AT EACH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY, THE STUDENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THESE HONORS WILL BE ANNOUNCED. THE UNDERGRADUATE LATIN HONORS DESIGNATION PRINTED IN THE COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM AND ANNOUNCED AT THE CEREMONY IS CALCULATED BASED ON THE STUDENT’S CUMULATIVE UWA GRADE POINT AVERAGE AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER PRIOR TO THE SEMESTER OF GRADUATION. ALL HONORS WILL BE RECALCULATED AFTER THE FINAL GRADING PERIOD FOR THE SEMESTER HAS CLOSED DURING THE WEEKS FOLLOWING COMMENCEMENT. THESE STUDENTS ARE GRADUATED WITH ‘HONORS,’ ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCALE: SUMMA CUM LAUDE – A QUALITY POINT RATIO OF 3.90 OR HIGHER MAGNA CUM LAUDE – A QUALITY POINT RATIO OF 3.75, BUT LESS THAN 3.90 CUM LAUDE – A QUALITY POINT RATIO OF 3.50, BUT LESS THAN 3.75

CEREMONY CHECKLIST ORDER CAP & GOWN DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 7

Cap and gown orders must be completed by October 30 to ensure timely delivery.

Grad Fair will be held October 16 at the UWA bookstore. You do not have to attend to purchase regalia.

You do not have to participate in the ceremony to purchase a cap and gown.

Order at https://oakhallcg.com/pages/university-of-west-alabama

NAME CHANGES

DEADLINE: OCTOBER 23 Name changes / corrections due for diploma and program book.

Live diplomas will not be given at the ceremony.

Email commencement@uwa.edu to update how your name is listed.

RESERVE GUEST TICKETS DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 20

Tickets will be required for the ceremony, and every person attending must have a ticket, regardless of age. Each participating graduate will be able to request and reserve (4) tickets. Additional tickets are not available.

You may have indicated how many tickets you need on your application for a degree. This number helps us plan for the ceremony but it does not secure your tickets. In order to receive guest tickets you must reserve them through the online system during the allotted time.

A link to reserve tickets will be sent to the participating graduates' UWA email November 13. You will have one week to reserve your 4 guest tickets. No ticket request will be fulfilled after November 20.

PARTICIPATION STATUS CHANGE DEADLINE: DECEMBER 4

If you previously indicated yes to participating and can NOT participate. Please let us know by emailing commencement@uwa.edu.

UWA ALUMNI

DEAR GRADUATE, WE HOPE THAT YOUR GRADUATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA. STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY KEEPING UP TO DATE WITH ALUMNI NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS, AND MAKE IT A POINT TO REMAIN ENGAGED WITH YOUR ALMA MATER. THE BEST WAY TO STAY INVOLVED AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT IS BY JOINING THE NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (NAA). THE NAA IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE UNIVERSITY AND CONTRIBUTES TO KEY INITIATIVES SUCH AS ORGANIZING EVENTS THAT CONNECT GRADUATES AND SUPPORTERS, RAISING SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR CURRENT STUDENTS, AND ASSISTING WITH THE RECRUITMENT OF FUTURE TIGERS.

BY BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE NAA, YOU PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THE SUCCESS OF OUR EVENTS AND IN RAISING SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS THAT DIRECTLY BENEFIT UWA STUDENTS. ADDITIONALLY, YOUR MEMBERSHIP HELPS STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT THE GROWING LIST OF EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS THAT MAKE UWA STAND OUT. THE UWA NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PROUDLY UPHOLDS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, TRADITIONS, AND BEST INTERESTS OF THE UNIVERSITY, AND WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN THESE EFFORTS. MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES: INDIVIDUAL: $40 (ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP) JOINT (INCLUDES SPOUSE): $75 (ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP) I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT WWW.UWA.EDU/ALUMNI TO JOIN THE NAA AND FOR INFORMATION ABOUT UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT AS PART OF THE UWA FAMILY. SINCERELY, BANKS GORDY DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS

COMMENCEMENT TIPS: ARRIVE ON TIME MEN REMOVE CAPS DURING NATIONAL ANTHEM AND STATE SONG WALK CHEERFULLY AND GRACEFULLY ACROSS THE STAGE SILENCE CELL PHONES BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS REMAIN IN YOUR SEAT UNTIL THE CEREMONY HAS ENDED HOLD APPLAUSE UNTIL ALL GRADUATES ARE RECOGNIZED NO PERFORMING ON STAGE

GETTING TO CAMPUS

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO CAMPUS

TRAVELING NORTH/EAST (FROM MISSISSIPPI AREA) ON I-59/I-20, TAKE THE AL-28 EXIT, EXIT #17 (LIVINGSTON/BOYD). TURN RIGHT ONTO AL-28. TURN RIGHT ONTO U.S. HIGHWAY 11 (FIRST TRAFFIC SIGNAL).

TRAVELING SOUTH/WEST (FROM TUSCALOOSA AREA) ON I-59/I-20, TAKE THE AL-28 EXIT, EXIT #17 (LIVINGSTON/BOYD). TURN LEFT ONTO AL-28. TURN RIGHT ONTO U.S. HIGHWAY 11 (FIRST TRAFFIC SIGNAL).

WEST ON US-80, TURN RIGHT ONTO AL-28 (LIVINGSTON). TURN RIGHT ONTO U.S. HIGHWAY 11.

NORTH ON AL-17, TURN RIGHT ONTO U.S. HIGHWAY 11.

NORTH ON AL-43, TURN LEFT ONTO AL-28 IN LINDEN. TURN LEFT ONTO US-80. TURN RIGHT ONTO AL-28. TURN RIGHT ONTO U.S. HIGHWAY 11.

MAP LEGEND GRADUATE & GUEST PARKING

ROAD CLOSURE NO TRAFFIC

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSABLE PARKING

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY LOCATION

GRADUATE CHECK IN

CONGRATULATIONS

GRADUATES! CELEBRATE WITH THE BEST SELECTION OF GRAD GIFTS! HOURS FOR COMMENCEMENT

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

WWW.UWA.EDU/COMMENCEMENT