Roberts Wesleyan College Roberts Wesleyan College Roberts Wesleyan College

General Information

Commencement Ceremony

The Commencement Address will be given by
Mr. Jean-Claude Brizard, Superintendent of the Rochester City School District.

We also have two class speakers;
Mark Ballard, Master of Education in Initial Inclusive Childhood Education, will represent the graduate students

Providence Crowder, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management, will represent the undergraduate students

There will not be a rehearsal for the commencement ceremony. Line-up information will be packaged with your cap, gown, and tickets.

All graduates should arrive at 9:15 a.m. in the BT’s Café area, upper level, Voller Athletic Center for robing and further instructions.

This is a distinguished ceremony, which calls for academic apparel (caps and gowns) and appropriate dress.

All graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony.  If extenuating circumstances prevent your participation, it is important that you send a letter of explanation with a request to graduate in absentia to Dr. Robert Zwier, Office of the Provost or email Provosts Office@roberts.edu. 

Special Assistance

If you have a guest(s) who is physically challenged/hearing impaired, uses a wheelchair, crutches or requires an extra sturdy chair (275 lbs. or greater) and you would like to request a special accommodation of some type, please call Lynn Bates at (585.594.6200) by December 11, 2008.  Any guest requiring a special accommodation should be encouraged to arrive at the Arena by 9:15 a.m.

If you, as a graduate, have need for special seating within the graduate section of the Arena due to the use of a wheelchair, crutches, or require an extra sturdy chair (275 lbs. or greater), please call the Registration Office (585.594.6596) by December 11, 2008.

Guests should plan to use the lower level doors when entering the Voller Athletic Center.  Doors to the Voller Athletic Center Arena will open for guests at 9:00 a.m.  A ticket is required for each guest (see Ticket Information section).  Guests should be seated by 9:45 a.m. Ushers will allow guests to hold seats until 9:50 a.m.  At that time, guests will be asked to fill in all empty seats to allow seating for all those present.

Please encourage your guests to arrive early and provide them with the following: directions to Roberts Wesleyan College, campus map, and area hotel information, using the Online Visitor Information section.  You might also suggest a location where your guests can meet you following the ceremony. 

Photos taken at the Ceremony

A professional photographer will take a photo of you and President Martin as you receive your diploma cover during the ceremony. The photographer will take a second photo of you after you descend the platform. A flyer, packaged with your cap, gown, and ceremony tickets, will provide purchase instructions for these photographs.

Videos and DVDs of the ceremony will be available for purchase ($10.00 each if picked up; $15.00 each if mailed) via the Online Reservation Form which must be submitted to the Office of Student Services by Thursday, December 11, 2008. Your DVD and/or video will be available for pickup in the Office of Student Services, or mailing in January.
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