Commencement: Sunday, May 13, 2018

Noon -- Quad Cities Honors Convocation, TaxSlayer Center, Moline, IL
Instructions for Honors Student Participants 

1:30 p.m. -- Combined Graduate/Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, TaxSlayer Center, Moline, IL (ceremony is scheduled to last 1 1/2 - 2 hours)

Important information for graduates and guests:

SPECIAL NOTE:  The WIU-QC Campus will be open from 9-5 on Sunday.  Please stop by before or after commencement to visit with family, take pictures etc.

Arrival and Check in:

• Please arrive NO EARLIER than 12:30 PM on Sunday (those invited to the Honors Convocation at Noon can begin arriving at 11:30)
• Leave all belongings with your guests and proceed to the Northeast wall (to the right of the stairs and escalator) of the lobby to check in/pick up name cards
• Check in tables: Bachelor's candidates - Yellow balloons, Master's candidates - Purple balloons
• All graduates receive a name card to give to the reader on stage - PLEASE make sure the information is correct and make note of the correct pronunciation of your name on your card if needed
• Students will proceed to the conference room to line up by department/major and need to be in line by 1:10 PM 
• No messages or decorations are allowed on caps or gowns. Tassel placement -  Undergraduate on the right, graduate students on the left
• If you have any accessibility or mobility needs for during the commencement ceremony, please contact Audrey Adamson at anw-adamson@wiu.edu or 309-762-9080

Important Guest information:

• No tickets are needed to attend the ceremony
• Doors open 1 hour prior to the ceremony, seating is accessed through the upstairs concourse via stairs or escalator
• Students and their guests may access the TaxSlayer Center via any of the main entrances on the south face of the venue 
• Near the southeast entrance, there is is a drop off lane where drivers may drop off individuals who require more proximate access
• WIU staff dressed in purple shirts and TaxSlayer Center staff will be available to direct individuals to accessible seating located on the main floor
• The WIU Bookstore will have apparel and other items for sale in the TaxSlayer Center lobby (ATM  available in lobby)
• There will be flowers available for purchase from a local florist in the TaxSlayer Center lobby
• Information about accessibility for parking, seating, and the program can be found at: wiu.edu/qc/commencement/accessibility.php

Ceremony procedures:

• Students will process into the arena area as directed by commencement staff and marshals
• Marshals will continue to direct students throughout the ceremony. Marshals are easily recognized by their white robes
• Marshals will lead students to the stage by row. Exit rows to the right and re-enter rows from the left
• Students walk up the ramp and hand their name cards to the reader at the podium. As individual names are read, students cross the stage, shaking hands with several University dignitaries
• Master's graduates will be hooded prior to to crossing the stage, please give them time to adjust your hood as needed
• At the far end of the stage, students receive their diploma covers and pose with their department chair or leader for a professional photograph
• Hold the diploma cover in an upright position with the school seal facing the camera
• Students who received a Bachelors degree will be directed to move their tassels to the left side of their cap after everyone has crossed the stage
• At the conclusion of the ceremony, the music will begin and marshals will direct students out of the arena. Please remain seated until your row is released
• Graduate students wishing to return or pay for their hoods can do so after the ceremony in the line up room (info on hood return and purchase: http://www.wiu.edu/graduate_studies/commencement/ceremony_details.php

WIU-Quad Cities Marshalls

• Lindsey Bideaux
• Daniel Dankert
• Vanessa Forbes
• Marissa Kletke
• Priscilla Porter

Academic Readers

Graduate
Susan M. Stewart, Professor, Management and Marketing

Undergraduate
Mary Hogg, Associate Professor, Communication

Gonfalon (Banner) Carriers

Recognizing Quad Cities academic administration and faculty.

• WIU - Kristi Mindrup
• Graduate School - Holly Nikels
• College of Arts and Sciences - Ryan Colclasure
• College of Business and Technology - Jim Patterson
• College of Education and Human Services - Fred Isele
• College of Fine Arts and Communication - Brendan Young