Spring 2023 Commencement Guide

SPRING 2023 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 TAKE PLACE IN UWA AUDITORIUM IN THE MATH & SCIENCE BUILDING.

THURSDAY, MAY 4

CHECK-IN FOR GRADUATES

1 HOUR PRIOR TO CEREMONY START TIME

PRUITT GYMNASIUM

GRADUATE STUDIES CEREMONIES

5:00 PM

MASTER OF EDUCATION (A-K LAST NAME)

7:00 PM

MASTER OF EDUCATION (L-Z LAST NAME)

FRIDAY, MAY 5

CHECK-IN FOR GRADUATES

1 HOUR PRIOR TO CEREMONY START TIME

PRUITT GYMNASIUM

UNDERGRADUATE CEREMONIES

9:00 AM

DIVISION OF NURSING

DIVISION OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

12:00 NOON

COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATE STUDIES CEREMONIES

3:00 PM

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION

EDUCATION SPECIALIST

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

MASTER OF SCIENCE

MASTER OF SCIENCE (ACE)

MASTER OF ARTS

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING

MASTER OF ATHLETIC TRAINING

COMMENCEMENT OVERVIEW

ASSEMBLY LOCATION FOR 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 AND BAGS. GRADUATES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED BACK INTO THE HOLDING ROOMS FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY

ATTIRE FOR GRADUATES

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

MAKE SURE SHOES ARE COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO WEAR FOR WALKING ACROSS CAMPUS.

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.

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

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.

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 A PRINTED OR PRESENTED ON A MOBILE DEVICE

TICKETS HAVE A UNIQUE CODING AND MAY NOT BE DUPLICATED.

THE AUDITORIUM WILL OPEN FOR GUESTS 35 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE START OF THE 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.

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 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 FOTO WILL TAKE PICTURES PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY IN PRUITT GYMNASIUM

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.

LIVE VIDEO STREAM

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

VIEWERS CAN SIMPLY CLICK THE LINK TO WATCH THE CEREMONY

THERE ARE NO OVERFLOW LOCATIONS AVAILABLE.

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

DINING TIPS

MANY RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN TO SERVE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WE HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES WHILE IN LIVINGSTON

UWA BOOKSTORE

BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSTORE LOCATED AT THE STUDENT UNION BUILDING WILL BE OPEN THURSDAY, MAY 4 FROM 8:00AM - 6:00PM AND FRIDAY, MAY 5 FROM 8:00AM - 5:00PM.

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

UWA ALUMNI

THE BEST WAY TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND STAY INVOLVED WITH YOUR ALMA MATER OF UWA IS BY JOINING THE NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. FOR A MINIMUM ANNUAL DONATION OF $25 TO THE AREA OF YOUR CHOICE, YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE AND ALLOW THE NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TO STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT A GROWING LIST OF EXCEPTIONAL UWA PROGRAMS WHILE ALSO BECOMING A MEMBER OF YOUR LOCAL ALUMNI CHAPTER, INVITATIONS TO ALL ALUMNI EVENTS, AND SEVERAL EXCLUSIVE MEMBER BENEFITS.

WE HAVE RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH A PLATFORM TO GET ALUMNI MEMBERS DISCOUNTS AND SPECIAL PROMOTIONS ENTERTAINMENT BENEFITS GROUP IS THE INDUSTRY LEADER THAT OFFERS FREE PERKS WITH THE BRANDS YOU KNOW AND LOVE THIS INCLUDES EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. SOME OF THESE DEALS INCLUDE VACATIONS, CONCERTS, AND THEME PARKS.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT THE ALUMNI WEB SITE AT UWA.EDU/ALUMNI FOR INFORMATION ABOUT UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS, SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND OFFERS, AS WELL AS LINKS TO THE LATEST ALUMNI PUBLICATIONS

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NAA OR YOUR MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS, PLEASE CONTACT US AT 205-652-3867 OR VIA EMAIL AT ALUMNI@UWA.EDU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF YOUR UNIVERSITY, AND WE HOPE YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE UWA NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GO TIGERS!

SINCERELY, KATIE BEARD DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI

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