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On Legal Grounds | Memphis Law Events & Announcements

GRADUATION INSTRUCTION MEMO

by · May 1, 2015

The Spring Commencement Ceremony for the Law School will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 225 North Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.  The Cannon Center is located at the corner of Poplar and Front Street at the Mid-America Mall.

ARRIVAL TIME:

You must be at the Cannon Center no later than 4:00 p.m. on May 9.    As you arrive, please look for signs directing you to assemble in a room backstage. There will not be a rehearsal.

Guests:

Guests should arrive early, particularly if they want seats together as a group and/or to be seated near the front.  There is no limit on the number of guests you may bring, and you do not need tickets for your family and friends for graduation.  The exterior doors to the Cannon Center will open at 3:30 p.m., and the interior doors to the auditorium will open at 4:00 p.m.

Dress for Commencement:

In keeping with the formality and tradition of the ceremony, graduates should wear professional clothing under their gowns and comfortable, yet professional looking shoes.

CAP & GOWN:

You may pick up your cap and gown in the Career Services Office in Room 236 beginning on Monday, May 4, 2015.  Caps and gowns must be picked up by Friday, May 8 at 4:00 pm.

Caps and gowns will be returned to a law school representative backstage following the commencement ceremony.  (You may keep the tassel).  There is no charge for the cap and gown rental.  Please note that we will not have extra regalia at graduation, so please be sure to bring everything with you to graduation.

PARKING:

Parking downtown can be somewhat of a challenge during Memphis in May and no because of Bass Pro. Parking is available in the garage underneath the Cook Convention Center/Cannon Center as well as in lots nearby.  The cost is $10/vehicle at the Convention Center lot.

PLACEMENT SURVEY:

When you pick up your cap and gown from the Career Services Office, you must complete a form entitled “Placement Report” and submit it back to the Career Services Office.  If you will not be able to attend the ceremony, please come by the Career Services Office and fill out the form before May 9.

Honor Pins:

You may wear honor pins (college level and higher) on the left side of your graduation robe (on the black lapel next to the purple chevron).  This includes Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Alpha Delta, Omicron Delta Kappa, and other honorary pins.

Commencement Exercise:

During the commencement ceremony, you will:

  1. Line up in alphabetical order in the backstage assembly room
  2. Process into the auditorium
  3. Walk to the stage (at the indicated time)
  4. Receive a hood from the table
  5. Give your card with your name on it to the pronouncer (you will receive your card at the Cannon Center before the ceremony)
  6. Walk to the middle of the stage after your name is called, where you will be hooded (a photographer will take a picture of the hooding)
  7. Continue across the stage to shake hands with Dean Letsou and President Rudd (a photographer also will take a picture of the handshake)
  8. Proceed backstage where you will have another photo taken (you will receive information about ordering photos at a later date)
  9. Be directed back to your seat after the photos for the remainder of the graduation ceremony
  10. Recess out and proceed immediately to the backstage assembly area to drop off your cap and gown at the back of assembly room

Financial Obligation to the University:

By law, the University cannot release grades, transcripts, diplomas, or certifications of credit on or to any student who has an unresolved financial obligation to the University.  Your diploma will be mailed to you approximately two months after the ceremony, once it has been certified that your financial obligations are met and that all degree requirements have been satisfied.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

Please let us know about any changes of address, phone numbers, or email addresses that you have after graduation. We need to know where to send your diploma, and there are several surveys and other matters you will receive the first year after graduation.

Most of all, congratulations!  We look forward to seeing you there.

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