Commencement Information

Date

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Ceremony Time

10:00 a.m.

Location

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

777 North Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, Florida 34236

Regalia/Dress

Bradenton SCF Store now has gown sizes: 5'0-5'2, 5'3-5'5 and 5'6-5'8, available for purchase.

Venice SCF Store will have them beginning Friday, May 3, at 9:00 a.m.

Other gown sizes are also available.

Graduates required to wear New Navy-Matte finish regalia purchased from The SCF Store at SCF Bradenton or SCF Venice or online at: www.scf.edu/bookstore. Approximate cost: $28.25.

 There have been changes made to the graduation caps, gowns, tassels. The SCF Store now carries the Navy-Matte finish cap, gown, and tassel. This is a change from the shiny version used at previous ceremonies.

Please purchase the new navy matte finish cap, gown, and tassel for Spring 2013 Commencement ceremony. Students will NOT be able to participate in the ceremony wearing the shiny cap and gown that was used in previous ceremonies.

 Follow instructions on package to steam/press the gown.

• Phi Theta Kappa members may go to www.ptk.org to purchase, optional honor cord, stole & tassel. Cost approximately $45.
• Men: white dress shirts, neckties, dark shoes and dark trousers under their gowns.
• Women: dark shoes and dark dress or slacks under their gowns.
• Honors regalia and medallions may be worn at the ceremony.
• All tassels should be worn on the right side. 

Guest Tickets and Seating

Guests, including all children, must have a ticket.

• Each graduate receives four (4) guest tickets. Please plan accordingly. *

 Pick up tickets in Records, Bradenton or Venice from:

 Pick up tickets in Records, Bradenton or Venice from:

April 29-May 3, 2013

Pick up tickets in Lakewood Ranch -Medical Technology & Simulation Center, Learning Commons from:         

April 22 - May 2, 2013

Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (no tickets available on Friday)

 *At this time it does not seem likely there will be any extra guest tickets available.

Graduates or guests with special needs can contact the disability resource center at least two weeks in advance of the ceremony:
Bradenton: (941) 752-5295,
Venice: (941) 408-1300, ext. 65295
or either campus: TTY (941) 751-8179,
Fax information to: (941) 727-6381.

• Limited wheelchair seating is available.
• No food or drink is allowed in the auditorium.
• Strollers, balloons, air horns, beach balls or similar items are not permitted in the auditorium. 

Ceremony Arrival Time

 All candidates - 9:00 a.m. Earlier is not necessary.
Arrive at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall with your cap, gown and tassel. Enter through the main lobby entrance follow the signs to the Grand Foyer.

• New Navy-Matte finish cap, gown, and tassels, are a change from the shiny version used at previous ceremonies.
• Students will NOT be able to participate in the graduation ceremony wearing the shiny cap and gown. We caution you against purchasing gowns from other locations or borrowing from past graduates.
• Pick up your two cards at graduate check-in.
• Print name and mailing address for photographer on both cards.
• Speak to commencement reader if your name is difficult to pronounce.
• Have your picture taken.
• You may not carry anything with you other than the card you are given.
• YOUR PERSONAL ITEMS (PURSES, KEYS, BACKPACKS, CELL PHONES, HANGERS, SUNGLASSES, ETC.) SHOULD BE LEFT WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS BEFORE ARRVING AT GRADUATE CHECK-IN. SCF staff will not be available to watch your belongings.
• Please: Turn off cell phones, pagers, and beepers for the ceremony.
• Stay in Grand Foyer until time to line up.
• Numbered cards will be used for order of processional.

9–9:50 a.m. Guest Seating, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Guests should plan be seated by 9:50 a.m. to allow passage of the processional.

Late arrivals will be seated after the processional has entered.

• Please: Turn off cell phones, pagers, and beepers for the ceremony.
• Graduates are expected to stay until the end of the ceremony which will last approximately one hour.
• Men are expected to remove their caps for the National Anthem.
• Graduate Marshalls will signal each row to stand and proceed to the front left of the stage.
• Graduates will hand their card to the reader who will announce the graduate.
• When your name is read, walk directly toward the center of the stage.
• Proceed across the stage to receive the diploma cover from SCF President Dr. Probstfeld and a professional photographer will take your picture.
• Graduate names, degree(s) and honors, or certificates are listed in the commencement program.
• Honors designation for commencement for spring degree candidates is based on the last term completed prior to spring 2013. The final grade point average after spring 2013 grades are posted will be used to determine honors recognition for the official transcript and diploma.   

• At the close of the ceremony, guests should remain at their seats until the platform party, faculty and all graduates have recessed. Please ask your guests to meet you outside the auditorium.
• After the College has certified the degrees and certificates, diplomas and certificates will be mailed to the address listed on your application for graduation.

• SCF's office of public affairs and marketing has arranged for professional photographs to be taken of each graduate. Two photos will be taken: one before the ceremony and one while receiving the diploma cover from the President. Graduates must complete the photographer's cards at graduate check-in to receive the information and a price list.
• The ceremony will be videotaped and available for viewing at a later date.
• NOTE: Personal cameras and camcorders may be used only from attendees' seats.