News Release
School of Dentistry Commencement - May 8-10, 2009
The annual Commencement ceremonies held by the University of Detroit Mercy and the UDM School of Dentistry will take place the weekend of May 8-10.
Preparation
Locations
Share a copy of the 2009 McNichols Campus Map (pdf) with your guests so that they may familiarize themselves with the campus, its facilities and parking areas.
You may also wish to see the Driving Directions page.
Parking
Parking will be crowded, and campus traffic will be heavy. ALLOW EXTRA TIME and CAR POOL.
Handicapped parking, in front of Calihan Hall, is limited and restricted to those with valid handicapped stickers or license plates.
Suggested Detroit Area Hotel Accommodations
| Marriott's Fairfield Inn 32800 Stephenson Highway Madison Heights MI 48071 248.588.3388 www.marriott.com |
Hampton Inn/South Troy 32420 Stephenson Highway Madison Heights MI 48071 248.585.8881 www.hampton.com |
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| Courtyard by Marriott 1525 E. Maple Road Troy MI 48083 248.528.2800 www.marriott.com |
Troy Marriott 200 W Big Beaver Road Troy MI 248.680.9797 www.marriott.com |
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| Detroit Marriott - Southfield 27033 Northwestern Highway Southfield MI 248.356.7400 www.marriott.com |
Holiday Inn |
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Greektown's Athenium Hotel |
Courtyard Detroit Downtown |
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| Inn on Ferry Street 84 Ferry Street Detroit,MI 313.871.6000 www.innonferrystreet.com |
Senior Recognition and Awards Ceremony
Family and friends are invited to join the members of the dental and dental hygiene classes of 2009 at the annual Senior Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Friday, May 8th at 5:30 pm in the Windsor Ballroom at the Crown Plaza Downtown Detroit Hotel (also known as the Pontchartrain Hotel).
Valet parking will be available for a fee. Please plan on arriving approximately 30 minutes early to allow sufficient time to park.
All graduating students are expected to attend the Ceremony. Dental and dental hygiene students will receive their graduation hoods at the ceremony.
Students and their guests are invited to join the faculty and administration for a reception after the ceremony in the “Top of the Pontch” room on the 25th floor of the hotel. Light refreshments will be served and a cash bar will be available.
We look forward to celebrating your achievements with you!
Baccalaureate Mass
All dental and dental hygiene graduating students are invited to participate in the University-wide Baccalaureate Mass held on Saturday, May 9th at 9:30 a.m. in the Gesu Church located one block north of the McNichols Campus on Santa Maria between Quincy and Oak Drive (see map). Baccalaureate Mass is an integral part of the Commencement activities and candidates and guests of all faiths are invited to join this religious service thanking God for His blessings and praying for our future. Graduates meet outside Gesu Church at 9:00 a.m. in cap and gown.Graduation Day
Location and Time
Commencement will be held on Sunday, May 10th at 10:30 a.m. in Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus (see map). Graduates are expected to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m.Timeline
| 9:30 a.m. |
Graduates arrive and report to Ford Life Sciences Building, Room 113 to robe |
|
| 10:00 a.m. | Graduates line up to prepare for processional | |
| 10:20 a.m. | Graduates begin processing to Calihan Hall | |
| 10:30 a.m. | Processional enters Calihan Hall | |
| 10:30 a.m. | Commencement Ceremony begins | |
| 12:15 p.m. | Commencement ceremony concludes and reception begins | |
| 2:00 p.m. | Reception ends |
Information for graduates
Assembly
Graduates are required to report to Room 113 in the Ford Life Sciences Building on the McNichols Campus by 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 10th. In the assembly room, each graduate will receive an individualized 3x5" index card prior to the processional lineup. Typed on each card is the candidate's name, and his/her seat number. The number corresponds with your seat. The sequence follows the Commencement Program and the diploma distribution order. Keep this card with you at all times and present to the Announcer. If the card is not presented to the Announcer, your name will not be read.
Processional
Once the procession is formed, it will march to Calihan Hall. It is tradition that a bagpiper leads the Procession. The Procession will travel between the Ford Life Sciences Building to Calihan Hall's northwest doors. Rain or shine, the Procession will process. If rain is predicted, bring an umbrella to use in the procession.
In Calihan Hall, follow your Marshal's instructions and proceed to your numbered seat and remain standing. Leave seats empty for absent candidates. Seating is arranged alphabetically by degree for diploma distribution. It also serves to help your guests, if they are following the Program, to know when you will be awarded your degree.
Ceremony
Commencement is a formal event that provides public recognition of your academic achievement. The Ceremony will last approximately one and one half hours. Participants are to remain in the hall for the duration of the program.
Decorum
The Commencement Committee asks that you and your guests please show proper respect for the Ceremony and the other candidates by adhering to the following:
- Remain quiet and dignified during the Ceremony.
- Cellular/mobile phones/pagers should be turned off during the entire ceremony.
- Bottles, cups or cans will not be allowed in the processional or into the arena.
- Those with alcoholic beverages are subject to removal from the Procession and Ceremony.
- Candidates are expected to remain in their seats and stay for the entire Ceremony.
- Due to risk of injury, caps should not be thrown in the air.
Although celebration by graduates and guests is appropriate, please ask your guests to refrain from prolonged expressions of joy when your name is read.
The ceremony in Calihan is expected to last approximately one and one half hours. To add dignity to the event, all candidates/graduates are to remain in their position throughout the event. Restroom facilities are located in the hall to the left of the door you used to enter the arena. It is to be noted however, if you leave the arena prior to the end of the ceremony, a marshal will retain your diploma/holder until you return to your position.
Program
For program details, review the Commencement Program which will be on your seat in Calihan Hall.
Conferring of Degrees
This is the most important and solemn part of the Ceremony. The Grand Marshal will ask, in turn, each dental, dental hygiene and specialty candidate to rise. Stand in place. The Dean will then recommend to the President that the degrees be conferred. The President will comply. After all of the degrees have been conferred, the Grand Marshal will then direct all of the graduates at once to change their tassels from the right to the left side of their caps.
Awarding of Degree
Follow Marshals' directions. Each graduate will move to the stage in single file in seat card number order to receive his/her degree. Present your name card to the Gatekeeper who will present it to the Announcer. When your name is read, proceed to the President. Receive your diploma with your left hand and shake hands with the President with your right hand. You will be photographed a second time at this point. Move down the line and shake hands with the Dean. Proceed down the last aisle to the rear of the arena and then back to your seat via the same aisle used in the processional.
Recession
The Recessional will be orderly and dignified. Follow Marshal's directions. Graduates will recess out of Calihan Hall and return to the north Student Center steps near the Fisher Fountain for a group photo before disbanding.
Reception
Plan to meet your guests at the Reception near the Fisher Fountain north of the Student Center. Light refreshments will be served. This reception is sponsored by the Alumni Association.
Related pages
Release date: April 27, 2009
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