1 . When is the Commencement ceremony, where is it held, and when is it over?^

The Commencement ceremony for the School of Law will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. Graduates must line up in the gym of The Charlotte Y. Martin Centre in their academic attire no later than 8:30 a.m. and this is a good time for their guests to arrive in the McCarthey Athletic Center. The ceremony begins with an academic procession at 9:15 a.m. and the speaking part of the ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Ample seating is available, graduates may invite as many guests as they wish to the ceremony, and no tickets are needed for admission. If the graduate or guests have special needs for seating (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.), the graduate should contact Susan Harmon at 509-313-3700 or sharmon@lawschool.gonzaga.edu no later than two weeks prior to Commencement (and earlier, if possible) so that we can make the necessary arrangements. We estimate that the ceremony will be over at 11:00 a.m. and it is followed by a social held on the lawn at the School of Law. The social is a time for graduates to hug, kiss, take photographs, introduce their families to favorite faculty members, and to say good-bye - we expect the social will be over by about 12:30 p.m.

2 . How does a student order graduation announcements and invitations?^

CEWard-National is the firm which handles the selling of both academic attire (addressed in the next question and answer) and graduation announcements and invitations.  That firm will be sending all graduating law students the order forms and information about the announcements and invitations in late fall/early winter.  The Zag Shop - the GU bookstore - will have samples on display and will have order forms.  

3 . How does a student order academic attire?^

Fill out the form that CEWArd-National has sent to you - get it back to them in the mail in the already-addressed envelope no later than March 2, 2010.  A late fee will be assessed on orders postmarked March 3 through April 19.  Orders place after April 19 will be on an availability basis only and will include overnight air delivery charges.  The law academic attire cost will be $84.00  (this includes tax) and payment can be made with cash, check, VISA or MasterCard.  Academic attire will be distributed to the student at the Law School - date, time and room still to be determined. 

4 . Is there a Baccalaureate Mass and who may attend?^

The Baccalaureate Mass for the School of Law is held in St. Aloysius Church at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 14, 2010. Graduates and their guests are cordially invited to attend.

5 . Do law students need to attend rehearsal and when and where is it held?^

The tentative date for the School of Law rehearsal is on Thursday, May 13, 2010, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the McCarthey Athletic Center. All law students should plan to attend the rehearsal because detailed information is given, questions are answered, and those all-important "how to wear your academic attire" instructions are given. If you absolutely can't attend, not to worry! We will see you at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday in the gym of The Martin Center (you will be lining up here prior to the academic procession) and we will stay with you every step of the way.

6 . Is the Associate Dean for Student Affairs going to pronounce my name properly as I cross the stage?^

The Assistant Dean hopes and prays that he pronounces every name properly and he will practice with a large stack of name cards for a month prior to Commencement. If you have a wonderful and unusual name, you could make it easier for her by giving her a simple way to pronounce your name. Please bear in mind that the pronunciation explanations at the bottom of the page in the dictionary do not readily come to mind to an Assistant Dean who is having to read many names. On the blue graduation form which you received at registration at the beginning of your final year, there is a place to give the proper pronunciation of your name. You could simplify matters by letting the Assistant Dean know (for example) that the last name Krusee is pronounced like this: crew c or that Prusch is pronounced like: brush with a p

7 . Photographs at Commencement - can family members take them and will there be a professional photographer?^

Family and friends may approach the stage and take pictures or a video; we ask everyone to be aware of other photographers and audience viewing. There will be a professional photographic team that will be taking a formal picture of every graduate as well as a candid shot. Order forms will be sent to the graduate during the summer from Image Studios in Moscow, Idaho (208-882-5594). You are under no obligation to order the pictures but I can tell you that, in the past, the pictures have been very good.