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The Reed College of Media and College of Creative Arts will merge to form the new WVU College of Creative Arts and Media as of July 1, 2024. Get details.

West Virginia University Reed College of Media

SOJ Commencement This Saturday!

The School of Journalism’s 2010 May Commencement is coming soon! It will be on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at the Creative Arts Center (CAC) on WVU’s Evansdale Campus.

Below are specific details about the ceremony and the procedure students should follow.

GRADUATE LINE-UP AND PROCESSIONAL

  • Although the ceremony begins at 9:30 am, ALL graduation candidates must arrive by 8:30 am for line-up.
  • Graduation candidates should report to the Davis Theater of the CAC. When you enter the front doors, head down the hallway to the right of the main theater. There will be signs directing graduates to the proper area.
  • Be sure to leave personal belongings (purses, coats, etc.) with your guests/family members, as the Davis Theater will NOT be locked or supervised once the ceremony begins.
  • Inside the Davis Theater, you’ll need to find your Program Chair and line-up area. Signs will be posted and faculty will be there to help direct you.
  • Your Program Chair will provide a Photo/Name Card for you to complete. You must complete BOTH sides of this card and KEEP IT until you cross the stage during the ceremony. Please be sure to include a long-term email address, preferably one other than your MIX email. This card has several important purposes: 1) Your name will be read from this card when you cross the stage. You must have the card! 2) The photo company, GradIMAGES, will email you with proofs of your graduation photos so you can order them online. A current email must be on the card. 3) The SOJ will also use the contact information on the card to send you your first SOJ alumni magazine later in the summer.
  • Your Program Chair will explain the process of crossing the stage and receiving your diplomas before the ceremony begins.
  • About 15 minutes before the ceremony begins, all graduation candidates will follow their Program Chairs to the main Clay Theater as part of the graduate processional.

ABOUT THE CEREMONY

  • When it is time to confer degrees, each candidate will cross the stage one at a time. There will be two photo opportunities for each student:

—Undergraduates will receive their diplomas from their Program Chair and pause for a photo; then shake hands with Dean Reed and with WVU Provost Michele Wheatly. A second photo will be taken as you leave the other end of the stage, in front of the official school banner.

—Master’s candidates will be hooded by their program director and pause for a photo; receive their diplomas from Dean Reed and pause for a second photo; shake hands with WVU Provost Michele Wheatly and then return to their seats.

OTHER DETAILS

  • Doors to the main Clay Theater (where the ceremony is held) will open for guest seating around 8:45 am.
  • All guests must have their tickets to be scanned at the theatre doors. If the ticket does not have a seat number on it, we will have a full spreadsheet with the graduates’ names and their assigned guest seats for reference. We will make every opportunity to accommodate guests who arrive at the CAC and do not have a ticket. If there are available seats, they will be filled.
  • Please be sure to bring your cap and gown, as we will not have extras at the ceremony. If you have received KTA or Latin Honors Cords, please wear those as well.
  • The ceremony is expected to last approximately 90-120 minutes and will be followed by light refreshments in the main lobby of the CAC.

Congratulations again! 
Kimberly Walker