Convocation 2009

Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy Graduation Convocation
Date: Friday May 22, 2009
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Student Procession Line-up: 8:30 a.m.
Location: College Avenue Gym

Rutgers is working to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from hunger in its new initiative, Rutgers Against Hunger (RAH).  We are asking guests of the 2009 graduation ceremonies to participate and contribute to this universitywide campaign by bringing nonperishable canned food to the ceremony.  Containers will be located at each event so that your donation can make a difference in the local community.  Thank you in advance for helping us with this most worthwhile cause.  For more information about RAH, please visit the website:
rah.rutgers.edu

Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is graduation?
Where do my family and I park?
Do I need tickets for graduation?
If I don't need tickets why are there invitations available?
What do I wear and where do I get it?
What color should my hood be?
What about cords?

When and where is graduation?
There are two ceremonies which you may attend. The first is University-wide Commencement on May 20, 2009 at the Voorhees Mall on the College Avenue Campus at 1:30 p.m. Students will need to arrive by 12:30 p.m. at the Old Queen's Building Lawn. A representative group of students from our school in cap and gown will march at this event and will be asked to stand and be recognized as a group during this ceremony. Pharmacy students do not go on stage or have their names announced at the ceremony. Any student wishing to serve as a representative should email Dean Woodward with their name and mailing address as soon as possible.

The other ceremony is the School of Pharmacy Convocation. This will take place in the College Avenue Gym on Friday May 22, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. Students need to be at the Gym at 8:30 for instructions and line up. At this ceremony all graduates will march and will be called to the stage by name to be hooded and receive their diploma. A professional photographer will be on stage and take your picture as the Dean hands you the diploma. The speaker at this event will be alumus Thomas McGuiness. Additionally, the class Valedictorian will speak along with another student elected by the graduating class.

Where do my family and I park?
Parking will be available at the College Avenue Parking Deck and the College Avenue Gym lot.

Do I need tickets for graduation?
No, tickets are not required

If I don't need tickets why are there invitations available?
Students are eligible to receive souvenir invitations from the School. Invitations are not required for guests to attend Commencement. The invitations are for students who wish to send an invitation to family or friends. Students may pick up 10 invitations in the Office of Academic Services in late April. An announcement will be sent to students when the invitations are available.

What do I wear and where do I get it?
All candidates are required to wear appropriate academic regalia. Hoods for doctoral candidates will be carried over the right arm. The tassel of the cap is worn on the right side by one who does not yet hold his or her first degree, and on the left if a degree is already held.

Candidates should arrange for purchase of academic regalia through the Rutgers University Bookstore as soon as possible. The order form is available on the bookstore website listed below (be sure to see the question below regarding hood color):

Barnes & Noble College Booksellers
Ferren Mall, One Penn Plaza, New Brunswick
732-246-8448
rutgers.bncollege.com

Regalia will be available beginning March 31 during the following hours:

     Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
     Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
     Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
     Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What color should my hood be?
The hood of your academic regalia should be olive green for pharmacy. When completing the order form from the bookstore, in the field labeled "Degree and Field" we recommend listing "Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D. - hood color olive green)" to prevent confusion with the Ph.D. regalia which has a blue hood.

What about cords?
Students graduating with Highest Honors, High Honors, or Honors (GPA of 3.16 or above) may choose to wear a Gold cord with their regalia; members of Rho Chi Honor Society may wear a purple cord; members of Phi Lambda Sigma may wear a green cord. Rho Chi Honor Society members received their cords from the organization when they were inducted. If misplaced contact Dr. Suh. Phi Lambda Sigma members should contact the PLS president. Honor cords should be available at the bookstore.