To prepare for the 2016 Winter Commencement ceremony at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Marshall will conduct its semi-annual Countdown to Commencement Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 1 and 2, in the Memorial Student Center’s Don Morris Room on the Huntington campus.
It will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, and refreshments will be served.
The purpose of Countdown to Commencement is to assist those participating in this year’s winter commencement, which is for July, August and tentative December 2016 graduates. Countdown to Commencement is designed to assist graduates in communicating with campus administrative offices in a central location.
University Registrar Dr. Sonja Cantrell said this will mark the third consecutive year that the winter commencement, which starts at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, will take place in the Big Sandy. Previous winter commencement ceremonies were conducted in the Henderson Center on the Huntington campus, but the continued growth in the number of graduates forced the university to switch to the Big Sandy two years ago.
“Countdown to Commencement, much like the winter commencement itself, grows every year,” Cantrell said. “Because everything is in a central location, ‘Countdown’ will save our graduates a lot of running as they take care of pre-commencement responsibilities, during the busiest time of the year. We encourage all of the graduates to join the Marshall community to celebrate their academic achievements.”
The following services will be available at Countdown to Commencement:
Registrar’s Office – Students can verify graduation status, name format, and address for mailing diplomas; confirm commencement participation; obtain commencement instructions; receive recognition cords for military service or ROTC; pick up honor cords and tassels (if graduating with academic honors); and have an opportunity to report any special needs or concerns related to the event.
Marshall University Bookstore – Students can be measured for and purchase their caps and gowns, as well as purchase tassels, diploma frames, class rings and much more.
Jostens – Students can purchase their Marshall University Class of 2016 rings. Also, students can order graduation announcements.
GradImages Photography – Cap and Gown portraits will be taken. There is no sitting fee, no obligation to purchase and free proofs will be available within 24 hours of the sitting.
Framing Success – Diploma frames will be available for purchase.
Graduate College – A graduate admission counselor will be available to discuss graduate programs and assist with the admission process.
Career Services – Students are encouraged to let the Office of Career Education know their post-graduation plans so it can help them along their career paths. Students may stop by the Career Services table to register for JOBTRAX (online job search assistance). Information and support will be available on job-related questions, resume assistance, interview skills and much more.
Office of the Bursar – Students may talk with staff about anything concerning their student accounts, holds, account balances and loan counseling interviews.
Financial Aid – Students may pick up information about upcoming financial aid workshops in which they may learn about default prevention, debt management, loan repayment, loan consolidation and loan forgiveness/cancellation programs. They also will have the opportunity to complete their loan exit counseling.
Alumni Relations – Students can learn about the benefits of a Marshall University Alumni Association membership.
Center for African American Students – All African and African American graduates are encouraged to stop by for information and to enroll for purposes of participating in the Christmas Donning of Kente celebration, scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, in Smith Recital Hall on the Huntington campus.
Contact Cantrell at registrar@marshall.edu or by calling 304-696-6410 to learn more. For more information about activities planned by the university’s registrar office, visit www.marshall.edu/registrar.