MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
February 2016
Spring and Summer Semester Baccalaureate Degree Candidates:
As a candidate for the baccalaureate degree, you are invited to participate in the Spring (Undergraduate)
Convocation and your College-level Commencement Ceremony. Academic apparel is required to
participate.
Individual recognition is at the College-level Commencement Ceremony; your name is read and photos are
taken. Please be respectful as names are read. If you participate in the Convocation and/or College-level
Commencement Ceremony, you are expected to remain for the entire ceremony. Please allow one hour for
the Convocation and at least two hours for the College-level Commencement Ceremony. To avoid
delays, graduates and guests should not bring large bags to ceremonies; bags may be searched.
Convocations provide university communities the opportunity to celebrate important occasions in their history
and in the lives of their students. The SPRING CONVOCATION for all Graduating Seniors is Friday, May 6,
1:00 p.m., Jack Breslin Student Events Center. President Lou Anna K. Simon presides over the Spring
Convocation. The ceremony features a guest speaker to deliver the keynote commencement address to
graduating seniors and a graduating senior to deliver the Class of 2016 student address. The ceremony
also includes the recognition of the Board of Trustees Award recipients, national and international
scholarship/fellowship recipients, Honors College graduates, a “thank you” to Senior Class Council, and the
recognition of all MSU graduates. Graduates are not seated by college. Seating for graduates is reserved on
the floor and in the bleachers. Graduates must be in academic apparel to be seated in these areas. Family
and other guests are seated in general seating areas on a first-come, first-served basis. The ceremony is
ONE HOUR. NO ADMISSION TICKETS are required.
The COLLEGE-LEVEL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY is about TWO HOURS. NO ADMISSION TICKETS
are required. These ceremonies are Friday, May 6–Sunday, May 8. Family and additional guests may sit in
the general seating areas on a first-come, first-served basis. A schedule of the College-level Commencement
Ceremonies is below. College-level contact information, assembly time and location, name card and photo
card distribution is below.
For the safety and security of ALL of our commencement participants and guests, please follow the
instructions below:
ALL bags are subject to search. To avoid delays, it is strongly recommended that bags are NOT
brought to any ceremony.
NO food or beverages or other liquids are to be brought into any commencement facility. Please
leave these items in your vehicle or discard before entering any of the facilities.
Concession Stands at the Breslin Center and the Wharton Center will be open for your family and
friends—for most ceremonies they will be open one hour before the ceremony begins and then remain
open through at least the first hour of the ceremony. A limited menu will include hot and cold
beverages and some snack items.
Included in this document is information about academic apparel, assembly time and location, name card and
photo card distribution, information for graduates with disabilities, construction in the Breslin Center area
leading us to strongly recommend Breslin Commencement Shuttle Service (Friday and Saturday), parking,
and other important details.
On behalf of the Commencement Committee, I congratulate you on your academic achievement and wish
you continued success.
Most sincerely,
John D. Gaboury, Ed.D.
Associate Provost for Academic Services and Enrollment Management
Chairperson, Commencement Committee
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We ask your cooperation in observing graduation etiquette. Any items visible and worn with your academic
regalia should be appropriate to the occasion and not detract from the recognition of your fellow graduates.
Flowers and decorative jewelry are not to be worn on academic gowns. Low-heeled shoes are recommended.
Please silence cell phones, pagers, or other wireless devices. To ensure that each and every graduate is
recognized properly and the ceremony is not disrupted, please be respectful as names are read.
ACADEMIC APPAREL/ANNOUNCEMENTS
The bachelor’s keepsake cap and gown is $48.00 plus sales tax. Visit the Commencement Connection
(http://shop.union.msu.edu/grad-html.html) online to order (last day to order online is Sunday, April 24)
your cap and gown. Or purchase at the Spartan Spirit Shop, MSU Union Building
(http://www.msuunion.com/), 49 Abbot Road East. Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; Saturday,
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:00 noon–5:00 p.m.
Questions about cap and gown, please email [email protected] or call 517-355-5116.
You may order announcements and other graduation-related items online at www.michiganstategrad.com.
You may purchase other graduation-related items such as personalized announcements, invitations, and
diploma frames at the Spartan Spirit Shop. Website: https://shop.union.msu.edu/.
In support of the University commitment to sustainability, the baccalaureate degree cap and gown is
manufactured using recycled materials. After participating in your commencement ceremony and taking
photos at your favorite locations—the Spartan (“Sparty”) statue, Beaumont Tower, and other MSU
landmarks—and with your favorite people—please recycle your gown. Return them to the Spartan Spirit
Shop, MSU Union Building, 49 Abbot Road East. Store hours above.
GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES
BRESLIN CENTER. 534 Birch Road. Breslin Center is a barrier-free facility. Wheelchair seating is at the
Concourse level. Persons not able to climb stairs may be seated in these areas. Ushers will direct guests to
these areas. One member of your party may be seated with the person requiring wheelchair seating. In order
to accommodate all commencement guests requiring seating in these areas, we ask that the remaining
members of your party be seated in general seating areas. Early arrival is strongly recommended.
Available at Guest Services at the Gate B entrance (see Breslin Diagram below (or page 9)): The “Phonic
Ear,” for sound amplification. A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served
basis to be used for transportation only from vehicle to seating in the Breslin Center and returned, and then
from seating to vehicle and returned; you must leave proper and valid identification to use. First-aid. Lost and
found. Information. Referrals. Early arrival is strongly recommended.
Real-time captioning will be available on the Breslin Center jumbotron (video board). For students and
guests, with ceremonies at the Breslin Center, who require an interpreter for the deaf—please contact Betsy
White at [email protected] or 517-353-3993 by Monday, April 11.
Please note that there will be construction in the Breslin Center area, so we strongly recommend
Commencement Shuttle Bus Service.
Parking at Breslin Center lot 63 requires a permit. Barrier Free Parking is provided in lot 63 EAST; this
includes a State of Michigan (or other State)-issued disability parking plate or placard. Please use Shaw Lane
to enter lot 63 EAST. A hanging placard will provide prompter admittance. Please see Breslin Diagram below
(or page 9).
If you do not have a State of Michigan (or other State)-issued disability parking plate or placard, you may
drop off individuals not able to walk (or having difficulty walking) distances on the north side of the Breslin
Center (Kalamazoo Street). Please do so as quickly as possible. Please see Breslin Diagram below (or
page 9).
Please consider Breslin Commencement Shuttle Bus Service on Friday and Saturday, as buses are
accessible. Patrons are dropped off on the Birch Road side of Breslin Center, nearest to the Gate B entrance.
Please see Campus Map below (or page 10).
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MSU (UNIVERSITY) AUDITORIUM. 542 Auditorium Road. A ramped entrance is located at the southwest
corner of the building. Seating without steps on the main floor is limited. In order to accommodate the high
volume of requests, we ask that the person with mobility challenges and one other guest be seated in this
area, and that the remainder of your party is seated in the general seating areas. To reserve seating for
persons with mobility challenges or other disability requests such as seating in front of the open
captioning, please contact Matthew Kribs, Monday, May 2–Wednesday, May 4, at [email protected]
(preferred) or 517-884-3199.
Wheelchairs are not available at the MSU Auditorium. Please be sure that your wheelchair or walker is clearly
marked for identification when transferring individuals from a wheelchair to theatre seating.
Real-time captioning will be available. For students and guests who require an interpreter for the deaf, please
contact Betsy White at [email protected] or 517-353-3993 by Monday, April 11. To reserve seating for
those requiring an interpreter, please contact Matthew Kribs, from Monday, May 2–Wednesday, May 4, at
[email protected] or 517-884-3199.
Parking for persons with disabilities is limited. There is a drive at the front of the Auditorium. If you need to
drop off someone with limited mobility, please use this front drive and do so as quickly as possible.
WHARTON CENTER. 766 East Shaw Lane. Please park in the Wharton Center ramp (Ramp 3). See
Campus Map below (or page 10). Barrier free parking is at each level. The elevator stops at each level. The
entrance to Wharton Center is at level two.
Wharton Center is a barrier-free facility. However, wheelchair platforms and seating without steps is limited.
In order to accommodate the high volume of requests, we ask that the person with mobility challenges and
one other guest be seated in these areas, and that the remainder of your party is seated in general seating.
To reserve seating for persons with mobility challenges or other disability requests such as seating
in front of the open captioning, please contact Nina Silbergleit, Monday, May 2–Wednesday, May 4, at
[email protected] (preferred) or 517-884-3119.
Wheelchairs are not available at the Wharton Center. Please be sure that your wheelchair or walker is clearly
marked for identification when transferring individuals from a wheelchair to theatre seating.
Real-time captioning will be available. For students and guests who require an interpreter for the deaf or
hearing impaired, please contact Betsy White at [email protected] or 517-353-3993 by Monday, April 11.
To reserve seating for those requiring an interpreter, please contact Nina Silbergleit, from Monday, May
2–Wednesday, May 4, at [email protected] or 517-884-3119.
COMMENCEMENT SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE
FOR BRESLIN CENTER CEREMONIES
Due to construction in the Breslin Center area and the increased volume in traffic and demand on
parking, we strongly recommend Breslin Commencement Shuttle Bus Service for ceremonies
on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7. Buses are accessible. There is NO CHARGE for the service. See
Campus Map below (or page 10).
Friday, May 6, 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
• Ramp 5 (Trowbridge Road/Red Cedar Road at the Communication Arts Building).
Stops in front of the ramp.
• Lot 79 (south side of Spartan Stadium, 325 West Shaw Lane). Stops on Shaw Lane.
• Lot 89 (Commuter lot (south campus)) at the northwest corner of Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane.
Stops at Bus Shelters.
Saturday, May 7, 7:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
• Ramp 5 (Trowbridge Road/Red Cedar Road at the Communication Arts Building).
Stops in front of the ramp.
• Lot 79 (south side of Spartan Stadium, 325 West Shaw Lane). Stops on Shaw Lane.
• Lot 89 (Commuter lot (south campus)) at the northwest corner of Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane.
Stops at Bus Shelters.
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PARKING
Breslin Center. 534 Birch Road. Parking in Breslin Center lot 63 requires a permit. This includes the State
of Michigan (or other State)-issued disability parking plate or placard; please enter from Shaw Lane. A
placard will allow prompter admittance. See Breslin Diagram below (or page 9).
Because of construction in the Breslin Center area and because the larger colleges hold their ceremonies at
Breslin Center—adding to traffic congestion and pedestrian traffic—we strongly recommend the Breslin
Commencement Shuttle Service on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7. There is NO CHARGE and
BUSES ARE ACCESSIBLE. Details above (or on page 3).
MSU Auditorium. 542 Auditorium Road. Parking is at Ramp 2 (one block west of the MSU Auditorium
and Farm Lane Road), lot 9 at Giltner Hall, and lots 39, 40, and 41 on Shaw Lane. And see Campus Map
below (or page 10).
Wharton Center. 766 East Shaw Lane. Parking is at Ramp 3 (adjacent to Wharton Center). See Campus
Map below (or page 10).
SPRING CONVOCATION FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
Friday, May 6, 1:00 p.m., Jack Breslin Student Events Center, 534 Birch Road. Graduating seniors are not
seated by college at the Spring (Undergraduate) Convocation. You must be in academic apparel to be seated
in the reserved seating on the Arena floor and in the bleachers. Please go directly to the seats on the floor or
in the bleachers.
Family and other guests are seated in general seating areas on a first-come, first-served basis. Children and
other guests are NOT permitted in degree candidate seating areas.
For the safety and security of ALL commencement participants and guests, please follow the instructions
below:
ALL bags are subject to search. To avoid delays, it is strongly recommended that bags are NOT
brought to the Convocation ceremony.
NO food or beverages or other liquids are to be brought into Breslin Center. Please leave
these items in your vehicle or discard before entering the facility.
Concession Stands will be open for your family and friends—one hour before the ceremony
begins and then remain open through at least the first hour of the ceremony. A limited menu will
include hot and cold beverages and some snack items.
Guests enter the building at Gates A, B, C, and D. Graduates and guests using the Commencement Shuttle
Bus Service will be dropped off at Gate B (Birch Road). Please see Breslin Diagram below (or page 9) and
Campus Map below (or page 10).
Graduates take the Service Drive (south side of Breslin Center) down to the Arena level. Proceed to the
Arena floor and to the graduate seating areas—seating on the floor and in the bleachers. Some Concourse
level-seating may be reserved.
Represent the Class of 2016. Be the Convocation Student Speaker. Senior Class
Council will select a graduating senior to represent the Class of 2016 at the Convocation. Speeches are to be
no more than five minutes and should be attention-grabbing, personally meaningful and meaningful to your
fellow graduating seniors. Application and detailed information is on the Commencement website at
http://commencement.msu.edu/speakers_and_honorarydegrees.
The ceremony is ONE HOUR.
NO ADMISSION TICKETS are required.
Students may exit the Breslin Center through the Service Drive at the south side of the building.
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COLLEGE-LEVEL INFORMATION
For the safety and security of ALL commencement participants and guests, please follow these instructions:
ALL bags are subject to search. To avoid delays, it is strongly recommended that bags are NOT
brought to commencement ceremonies.
NO food or beverages or other liquids are to be brought into any commencement facility.
Please leave these items in your vehicle or discard before entering any of the facilities.
Concession Stands will be open at the Breslin Center and Wharton Center for your family and
friends—in most cases, they will open one hour before the ceremony begins and then remain open
through at least the first hour of the ceremony. A limited menu will include hot and cold beverages
and some snack items.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation in using trash and recycle containers to assist us in
remaining on schedule and preventing delays in ceremonies.
Graduate Recognition: One of the most important hallmarks of the MSU spring decentralized
commencement ceremonies is that graduates are recognized individually. So that this University promise of
individual student recognition is fulfilled, we ask everyone, students and guests, to be respectful as each
graduate’s name is read. The next student to have her or his name read deserves full recognition as well.
Professional photographers will take photos as you receive the token diploma from your dean or a board
member and a second posed photo before you return to your seat.
Ceremonies begin promptly at the times listed below. Students should arrive in time for assembly as
instructed below. General seating is available to your family and other guests on a first-come, first-served
basis.
Children and other guests are NOT permitted in degree candidate assembly or seating areas.
College-level Commencement Ceremonies Schedule
NO ADMISSION TICKETS are required. Please allow at least TWO HOURS for each ceremony.
DATE AND TIME
LOCATION
COLLEGE
Friday, May 6, 4:00 p.m.
Veterinary Technology
Friday, May 6, 7:30 p.m.
Wharton Center, Pasant
Theatre
Breslin Center
Saturday, May 7, 8:30 a.m.
Breslin Center
Social Science (2 ½ hours)
Saturday, May 7, 9:30 a.m.
Wharton Center, Great Hall
Nursing
Saturday, May 7, 10:00 a.m.
MSU (University) Auditorium
Lyman Briggs
Saturday, May 7, 12:30 p.m.
Breslin Center
Natural Science
Saturday, May 7, 12:30 p.m.
Wharton Center, Great Hall
James Madison
Saturday, May 7, 4:00 p.m.
Breslin Center
Eli Broad Business
Saturday, May 7, 4:00 p.m.
Wharton Center, Great Hall
Music
Saturday, May 7, 7:00 p.m.
Wharton Center, Great Hall
Residential Arts and Humanities
Saturday, May 7, 7:30 p.m.
Breslin Center
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sunday, May 8, 9:30 a.m.
Breslin Center
Arts and Letters
Sunday, May 8, 12:30 p.m.
Breslin Center
Engineering
Sunday, May 8, 4:00 p.m.
Breslin Center
Education
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Communication Arts and Sciences
COLLEGE-LEVEL ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION, NAME CARD
AND PHOTO CARD DISTRIBUTION, AND CONTACT
INFORMATION
AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Saturday, May 7, 7:30 p.m., Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Dorcia Chaison, Associate Director
517-355-0234 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 7:00 p.m., Arena level for the processional. Take the Service Drive on the
south side of the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Line up behind your department/major standard in
the Service Area corridors. Faculty marshals will assist in assembly. Name cards and photo cards are
distributed at assembly.
Exit: Students leave the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building.
RESIDENTIAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Saturday, May 7, 7:00 p.m., Wharton Center, Cobb Great Hall, 766 East Shaw Lane
Niki Rudolph, Director
Contact: Pam Newsted - 517-355-0210 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 6:15 p.m., Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge for the processional. Follow
graduate signage to the third floor. Name cards and photo cards are distributed at assembly. Following the
ceremony, a reception will be held in the Grand Foyer (Great Hall lobby).
ARTS AND LETTERS
Sunday, May 8, 9:30 a.m., Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Bethany Judge, Assistant Dean
Contact: Rhonda Hibbitt - 517-355-0366 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 8:45 a.m., on the Arena floor. Take the Service Drive on the south side of
the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Report to the Arena floor, where name cards are distributed by
major. Candidates sit by major after receiving your name card and photo card. Name cards and photo cards
are distributed at assembly.
Exit: Students leave the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building.
BROAD BUSINESS
Saturday, May 7, 4:00 p.m., Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
John Wagner, Associate Dean
Contact: Stacey Burley - 517-353-8713 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 3:00 p.m. on the Arena floor. Take the Service Drive on the south side of
the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Report to the Arena floor, where name cards are distributed by
major. Photo cards are distributed at assembly. Candidates sit by major after receiving your name card and
photo card. Name cards and photo cards are distributed at assembly.
Exit: Students leave the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building.
COMMUNICATION ARTS AND SCIENCES
Friday, May 6, 7:30 p.m., Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Jennifer New, Assistant Director - 517-355-1794 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 6:30 p.m. on the Arena floor. Take the Service Drive on the south side of
the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Report to the Arena floor, where name cards and photo cards are
distributed by major. Candidates sit by major after receiving your name card and photo card. Name cards and
photo cards are distributed at assembly.
Exit: Students leave the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building.
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EDUCATION
Sunday, May 8, 4:00 p.m., Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Susan Dalebout, Assistant Dean
Contact: Jackie Hohenstein - 517-884-3951 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 3:15 p.m. Take the Service Drive on the south side of the Breslin Center
down to the Arena level. Pick up your name card and photo card. Line up for the processional behind your
major/cohort signs in the Service Area corridors. Name cards and photo cards are distributed at assembly.
Exit: Students leave the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building.
ENGINEERING
Sunday, May 8, 12:30 p.m., Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Amanda Idema, Director
Contact: Mary Pease, 517-355-6616 ext. 1 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 11:30 a.m., Arena level for the processional. Take the Service Drive on
the south side of the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Line up behind your department/major standard
in the Service Area corridors. Name cards and photo cards are distributed at assembly.
Exit: Students leave the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building.
JAMES MADISON
Saturday, May 7, 12:30 p.m., Wharton Center, Cobb Great Hall, 766 East Shaw Lane
Lori Lancour, 517-353-4675 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 11:30 a.m., Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge for the processional. From the
Grand Foyer (Great Hall lobby), take the stairs up to the Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge (balcony level). Name
cards and photo cards are distributed at assembly. Following the ceremony, there will be a reception at Case
Hall. Invitations with details will be sent early-March.
LYMAN BRIGGS
Saturday, May 7, 10:00 a.m., MSU (University) Auditorium, 542 Auditorium Road
Jonelle Golding, Director - 517-353-6480 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 9:00 a.m., Fairchild Theatre for the processional. Enter through the MSU
(University) Auditorium main entrance on Farm Lane. Report to the Fairchild Theatre. Assemble behind
department/school standards. Name cards and photo cards are distributed at assembly.
MUSIC
Saturday, May 7, 4:00 p.m., Wharton Center, Cobb Great Hall, 766 East Shaw Lane
Michael Kroth, Associate Dean
Contact: Kevin O’Donnell, Director, 517-432-8344 or [email protected];
or Talitha Trout, Director, 517-432-2616 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 3:30 p.m., Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge for the processional. From the
Grand Foyer (Great Hall lobby), take the stairs up to the Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge (balcony level). Name
cards and photo cards are distributed at assembly.
NATURAL SCIENCE
Saturday, May 7, 12:30 p.m., Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Debra Dotterer, Assistant Dean
Contact: Denise Benington - 517-355-4470 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 11:45 a.m., Arena level for the processional. Take the Service Drive on
the south side of the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Line up behind your department/program
standards in the Service Area corridors. Name cards and photo cards are distributed at assembly.
Exit: Students leave the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building.
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NURSING
Saturday, May 7, 9:30 a.m., Wharton Center, Cobb Great Hall, 766 East Shaw Lane
Heidi Purdy, Director
Contact: Erin Buitendorp - 517-353-3098 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 8:30 a.m., Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge for the processional. From the
Grand Foyer (Great Hall lobby), take the stairs up to the Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge (balcony level). Name
cards and photo cards are distributed at assembly.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
Saturday, May 7, 8:30 a.m., Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Michael Connelly, Director
Contact: Jennifer Abbott - 517-353-4823 or [email protected]
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 7:15 a.m., Arena level. Take the Service Drive on the south side of the
Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Breslin doors will open at 7:00 a.m. Report to the Arena floor. You will
be directed to your seating area, where name cards and photo cards will be distributed. Name cards and
photo cards are distributed at assembly.
This ceremony is about 2 ½ hours.
Exit: Students leave the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building.
VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY
Friday, May 6, 4:00 p.m., Wharton Center, Pasant Theatre, 766 East Shaw Lane
Contact: Jeanne (Jeannie) Walser - [email protected]
Immediately following the ceremony, there will be a reception in the lobby.
DIPLOMAS
Mailed approximately one month after your degree has been awarded. Questions regarding your Graduation
Application or Diploma, please email the Registrar’s Office at [email protected] or call 517-355-3300.
COMMENCEMENT WEBSITE
www.commencement.msu.edu
COMMENCEMENT OFFICE
Email [email protected]
or 517-353-3993.
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