Event Details for Graduates

SATURDAY APRIL 25TH (doors open at 4:30PM)

Handicap parking will be available on Tennyson Ave near Fifth Avenue.
Several parking meters will be blocked off for handicap parking at this location.

The handicap-accessible entrance to Alumni Hall is also located on Tennyson Ave.

4:30-5:45pm MEET & GREET - for students, families, faculty and staff.
You don’t have to come for the whole thing but you can!
Light REFRESHMENTS (Punch and Cookies)

When you arrive:
Get your PINK NAME CARD from table in LOBBY of Auditorium.
Complete a PINK SURVEY if you have not already.

Seating is not reserved. Families may enter auditorium
beginning at 4:30, and return to lobby to mingle.

5:45 Graduates LINE UP in hall behind auditorium for Procession.
There is no assigned order; you can sit with your friends.
Your PINK NAME CARD will be used by the podium readers.

6:00 Ceremony BEGINS with PROCESSION into Auditorium.
Graduates will be led to a SEPARATE SEATING area.
(Your family should NOT hold a seat for you)
Every grad will be called to the stage by name.

7:00 CEREMONY should be completed

Seating Update

We are pleased to say that we can accommodate all requests for extra guests, if you made them by 3pm Mon Apr 6th.

We want parents and close family to be “near the action,” especially to take photos of you onstage. Thus, we are asking your help and we offer the following guidelines:

= For large groups, please have only immediate family members sit in the lower level seats.

= We ask that the remainder of the group, especially younger attendees or more distant relatives, sit in the balcony.

= PLEASE do not bring additional guests beyond the number you requested.

GRADUATION UPDATE - APRIL 7

CAPS AND GOWNS:

Graduation Central is TODAY and TOMORROW (Apr 7-8) from 11-7pm in Connolly Ballroom, Alumni Hall. Get your caps and gowns here.

SEAT REQUESTS:

I've received most of your RSVPs - thank you! I will tally up the number of guests and email you by the end of the week to let you know if we can accomodate requests for extra guests (each student is guaranteed four guests plus themself).

WHEELCHAIRS:

We will be able to rent a very limited number of wheelchairs (1-3) for use at our graduation event. Please let Jean (jed71@pitt.edu) know ASAP if you or a guest need to borrow one of these chairs. Because of the limited quantity available, we ask that you use our available chairs ONLY if you are unable to supply your own.

GRAD SURVEY:

Available in the advising office (A230 Langley). Fill one out to let us know your future plans, your thoughts on the department, and to receive a class picture.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT PITT:

Check out Pittsource to search available U.Pitt jobs. https://www.pittsource.com/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1239141048365. I am also organizing a Pitt HR presentation for our seniors. Stay tuned!

Past Graduation Ceremony Pictures

Here are links to past departmental graduation ceremonies: 2007 and 2008.

Here are some pictures from classes that I taught: 1855(08), 1860(07), 1290(07), 1740(08). If you noticed either me or David snapping pictures in your class, you should check back later for photos from your class.

I had a phone question about where to get cap & gown...

the University has a two-day open house called Graduation Central (April 7 & 8). It's in the Alumni Hall Ballroom, and you walk through a winding route past a lot of tables where you can arrange for all the things you need for graduation.

You can purchase your cap and gown, graduation announcements, class rings, and diploma frames. You'll also receive instructions for the University ceremony if you plan to also attend that. More at:
http://www.pitt.edu/commencement/students/prep.html

The Departmental Ceremony is short and sweet, but with the opportunity for individual recognition. The University Ceremony confers the Bachelor degrees on all of the Arts & Sciences majors in a group, but there is lots of pomp, world-famous speakers, live music, confetti and plenty of celebrating. Some students attend only one event and some attend both (or none!)

A vague idea of what the stage looks like for the ceremony.

April & August Graduates!
Welcome to the Department of Biological Sciences' Graduation Ceremony blog.

Info about University Commencement (4/26), and
the Biological Sciences ceremony (4/25)
and the Department's Senior Class photo.

The Biological Sciences Advisors will give updates and answer questions through this blog, giving you an extra route to get info. Please feel free to post questions or other information about graduation events here.