Arts & Sciences Graduation 2009
The University of Kentucky’s 142nd Annual Commencement Ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th at Lexington Center’s Rupp Arena. See the UK Graduation website here.
At 7:30 p.m. that evening, the College of Arts & Sciences will hold its Baccalaureate Recognition in the same location, where we will honor each of our graduates and candidates for graduation. The College of A&S recognition will give all A&S baccalaureates the opportunity to walk across the stage and be recognized individually. We invite you and your guests to attend both ceremonies.
The information below relates specifically to the A&S Baccalaureate Recognition. You will receive a mailing from the President’s office about the University’s Commencement Ceremony.
We ask that you read the following instructions about the A&S Ceremony.
1. Graduates should arrive dressed in caps and gowns. Caps and gowns are sold at both the University Bookstore and Kennedy Bookstore. A&S graduates should purchase a white tassel if they are pursuing a bachelor of arts degree and a gold tassel if they are pursuing a bachelor of science degree. Academic apparel will be sold until supplies last. For more information, please contact the University Bookstore (859-257-6304) or Kennedy Bookstore (1-800-892-5165).
2. Graduates must arrive at the rear of Rupp Arena in the Lexington Center at 6:30 p.m. and report to Door 8 off of the Cox St. Parking Lot (See Map). At this time, we will provide further instructions and begin the line-up for the processional. Family members and guests arriving with graduates may enter Rupp Arena from the Main Street or the High Street entrances.
3. There we will have name cards for August 2008 and December 2008 graduates as well as May 2009 degree candidates, filed alphabetically by last name. August 2009 degree candidates will need to write their own card. Every graduate must have a card – it will be used to read your name out as you walk across the stage, and to provide an address to the photographer to mail your graduation proofs. Blank cards and pens are available at the tables distributing cards. On the back of the card, write your name and address and PROVIDE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS SO THAT CLASSIC PHOTO CAN CONTACT YOU REGARDING YOUR PROOFS. We are also offering you the option to indicate a future mailing address and post-graduation plans; this information will be forwarded to the alumni office. Graduates with names that are difficult to pronounce should find Dr. Ted Schatzki who will be reading the names of our graduates. You can work with him to ensure that your name is pronounced correctly. A phonetic pronunciation on the card would also help.
4. REMEMBER, YOUR TASSEL IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR CAP WHEN YOU ENTER RUPP ARENA.
5. At approximately 6:45 p.m. we will begin to line up graduates. The line will form in the lower arena outer-hallways, with graduates grouped according to major, but not alphabetically within majors. Signs with the name of your major are posted as a guide for the line-up. Please find the sign with the name of your major. Be sure to bring your completed card with you.
6. Once the line is formed, we will proceed as a group into Rupp Arena. (If it is raining, you will need to leave your umbrellas in this hallway and collect them after the ceremony.) We will enter the main arena at 7:30 p.m. promptly, and you will be given seating instructions if you need to start a new row in the seating area.
7. Graduates will proceed to the stage, hand their card to the person reading names, and repeat their name to him. Each graduate’s name will be read, and you will shake hands with Interim Dean Phil Harling, then with the faculty representing the department in which you earned your major.
8. Seating for family and friends is general admission on a first-come, first-serve basis. No tickets are required. There is no limit to the number of family members or guests who can attend. Rupp Arena is accessible to wheelchairs. Wheelchairs cannot be provided; please bring your own. We encourage attendees needing a signer to sit in the first two rows of section 11 in the arena. Graduates should leave personal belongings with family members or friends before entering the arena.
9. Please visit the travel information page on the UK Graduation site for parking, maps and other travel related information.
10. A photographer will be on hand to photograph each graduate as he/she walks across the stage. Out of courtesy to others, no one will be allowed near the stage to photograph/videotape the ceremony.
11. We suggest you make hotel arrangements early. For more information about hotels or places to visit, please call the Lexington Convention Visitors Bureau (1-800-845-3959/859-233-1221.)
12. You need not call the A&S Dean's office to confirm your attendance, but we would like to hear from you if you and your family have special needs.
13. If you have a double major, please pick only one for line up and seating.
14. We encourage all A&S graduates to attend both the Commencement and Recognition Ceremonies. These events are both the culmination of years of hard work and the start of what we hope will be a distinguished career as an alumnus of the University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences.
Congratulations to all graduating Arts &Sciences Students.
Graduation Links