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Class of 2009
Commencement Guide for Seniors


CAMPUS HEALTH ANNOUNCEMENT
Several Hope College students visited the college health center this past week with flu-like symptoms. The health center is very proactive in doing routine tests and voluntarily shares this information with the Ottawa County Health Department. We received word today that nine of the ten cases submitted for testing were identified as "probable" H1N1. These have been forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta for further testing. All of the students, seven of whom have returned to their homes for the summer following end-of-the-year exams, have been notified. All seem to have recovered from their illnesses.

Hope College officials have met with and will continue to be in contact with the Ottawa County Health Department. They are not recommending the cancellation of any college activities. They are emphasizing good hygiene practices for illness prevention.

President James E. Bultman


The information in this guide is tentative and will be continually updated during the year.

Congratulations! Commencement recognizes the hard work and dedication you have demonstrated here at Hope College. In an effort to help you and your family fully enjoy this accomplishment, the following information has been prepared to help answer questions in relation to Commencement Weekend activities.

The college hires a professional photographer to take individual photos of our graduates during the commencement ceremony as they shake hands with the president and as they walk down from the platform. Families will receive photo proofs in the mail at their student's permanent address. If you do not receive proofs within two weeks, please call Graduation Foto at 800-482-0321.

The College communicates directly with students regarding all the details for Commencement Weekend, so you will be responsible to pass information along to your family.

You will receive information regarding the graduation process and Commencement Weekend details via mail in late January from the Registrar's Office. Of special importance are the Senior Days activities.


Lodging & Dining Information

If your family has not made lodging arrangements, we suggest they do so as soon as possible. Alumni reunions and the beginning of Tulip Time occur the same weekend as Commencement and available rooms fill up quickly.

The Haworth Inn on Hope's campus is booked for Commencement Weekend 2009.

Graduation Day Meals. Sunday, May 3, Phelps Dining Hall and Maas Auditorium.

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Phelps Dining Hall / Maas Auditorium
Tickets required: No charge for grad candidate and up to two parents
$4.50 per adult (other family members and guests)
$2.25 per child ages 5 - 10; free for children ages 4 and under

LUNCHEON 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Cook Hall (advance tickets only) / Phelps Dining Hall / Maas Auditorium Tickets required: No charge for grad candidate and up to two parents
$9.00 per adult (other family members and guests)
$4.50 per child ages 5 - 10; free for children ages 4 and under

Advance tickets for the breakfast and/or luncheon may be obtained by grad candidates in the Dining Services Office located in Phelps Hall. Advance tickets may be purchased with cash or direct-billed to your student account. Due to limited seating in Cook Hall, a pre-determined number of advance tickets will be available for the Cook Hall luncheon and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. On Commencement day, Phelps Hall and Maas Auditorium breakfast and luncheon tickets will be available for purchase at the door on a cash basis at Phelps Hall only. If you have questions about meal tickets, please contact the Dining Services Office at 616-395-7930.

For a list of area lodging & dining options please visit the Holland Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.holland.org or contact them by phone at 800-506-1299 for additional information.

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Maps and Driving Directions

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Baccalaureate - Sunday, May 3rd
(Dimnent Memorial Chapel
)

Attendance at Baccalaureate is optional.

Time: 9:30am or 11:30am - students may choose to attend one of these two identical worship services.The service is approximately 45-60 minutes in length.

Tickets
: Students may request a maximum of 2-3 guest tickets (no charge). Students do not need their own tickets. Students pick up tickets during cap and gown distribution. Questions? Please contact Kathy Miller in Public Relations at 616.395.7860 or via email at kmiller@hope.edu.

Accommodations for Guests with Disabilities: There will be a sign interpreter for both Baccalaureate services as well as the Commencement ceremony. If any ticketed guests have special seating needs relating to hearing impairment or require accommodations for another disability, please contact Lannette Zylman-TenHave in the Provost's Office at 616.395.7970 or via email at zylman@hope.edu after March 1. Advance notification of these special needs helps ensure that the College has time to make the appropriate accommodations.

Students must inform the College at Senior Days if they plan to attend one of the Baccalaureate services and how many tickets they will need for guests.

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Commencement - Sunday May 3rd
(Holland Municipal Stadium,
313 Fairbanks Avenue)

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the DeVos Fieldhouse, 222 Fairbanks Avenue. See “Indoor Ceremony Information” below for additional details.

Time: 3pm - The ceremony is about 2 hours in length.

Tickets: No tickets are required if the ceremony is held outdoors at Holland Municipal Stadium.

The stage will be set in such a way that seating will be available in both the east and west bleacher stands with restroom facilities nearby.

In the event of inclement weather, tickets WILL be required at DeVos Fieldhouse. ALL graduation candidates receive a total of 4 guest tickets for the ceremony to be held at the Fieldhouse, married candidates receive 5.

If Commencement is at DeVos Fieldhouse, it will be broadcast on Holland’s cable TV station which can be seen on Comcast Channel 25. It will also be shown LIVE at the Knickerbocker Theatre on 8th Street. Guests without tickets to DeVos may choose to view the ceremony at the Knick. No tickets are required, seating will be on first come – first served basis.

Students will pick up graduation tickets during cap and gown distribution. Questions? Please contact Kathy Miller in Public Relations at 616.395.7860 or via email at kmiller@hope.edu.

Refreshments: The concession stand at the municipal stadium will not be open during the commencement ceremony. Guests are encouraged to bring their own water or other refreshments, particularly if the weather is sunny and warm.

Accommodations for Guests with Disabilities: There will be a sign interpreter for both Baccalaureate services as well as the Commencement ceremony. If any ticketed guests have special seating needs relating to hearing impairment or require accommodations for another disability, please contact Lannette Zylman-TenHave in the Provost's Office at 616.395.7970 or via email at zylman@hope.edu after March 1. Advance notification of these special needs helps ensure that the College has time to make the appropriate accommodations. The stadium lot is reserved for handicapped parking. The entrance to the stadium lot will be available via 16th street only, with the Fairbanks Ave. entrance used only for exiting the stadium lot.

Indoor Ceremony Information: If the ceremony is moved to DeVos fieldhouse, notification will be posted on the college’s website (www.hope.edu) or you may call the switchboard at (616) 395-7000. Announcements will be made at both baccalaureate services as well.

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Community Activities and Events

During your visit to Holland, consider participating in community events and activities scheduled for the weekend of May 1-3, including:

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On-Campus Dining Options

The College encourages you to consider dining on-campus on Sunday, May 3 in Phelps Dining Hall/Maas Auditorium. Many local restaurants may be very busy attending to guests in town for Alumni Weekend and Tulip Time activities. We welcome you to take advantage of the convenience and efficiency of on-campus dining.

Continental Breakfast, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.:
Grad candidates & their parents, free
$4.50 per other adult family members and friends
$2.25 per child for ages 6-12, free for children ages 0-5

Brunch, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.:
Grad candidates & their parents, free
$9.00 per other adult family members and friends
$4.50 per child for ages 6-12; free for children ages 0-5

Meal tickets may be purchased in advance at the Business Services office by graduates or by family members. Tickets may be paid for in cash or may be charged to the student's account. Tickets are also available at the door on Sunday, May 3.

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Commencement 2009
Deadlines & Tentative Schedule of Activities

Wed. Feb. 4
Thu. Feb. 5
9:30a-4:30p "Senior Days" - Students turn in Confirmation of Graduation Application, cap & gown order, Baccalaureate time & ticket preference, purchase announcements & rings.
Thu. Feb. 12 Deadline for H.O.P.E. Award ballot to Public Relations
Thu. Feb 12 Deadline for application to graduate to Registrar's Office.
Thu. Feb. 26 Deadline for cap & gown order to Bookstore. Deadline for early order discount on graduation announcements.
Fri. Mar. 20 Deadline for late returns of Alumni Info cards and Baccalaureate ticket preference to Public Relations
April Email notice of graduation problems sent to applied May & July graduation candidates.
Mon. Apr. 13
Tue. Apr. 14
8:30a-Noon & 1:00p-4:30p CAP & GOWN, Graduation & Baccalaureate TICKET distribution; Herrick Room, DeWitt.
Tue. Apr. 14 7:00p Senior Celebration at DeVos Fieldhouse
Thu. Apr. 23 7:00p Honors Convocation, Dimnent Memorial Chapel.
Fri. Apr. 24 Last day to purchase Alumni Reception/Banquet tickets, Office of Alumni and Parent Relations.
Wed. April 29 5:15p-6:30p COMMENCEMENT REHEARSAL, DeVos Fieldhouse. REQUIRED for ceremony participants. Off-campus program students - have a friend attend practice in their place to pick up name/seat card, which they will hand to the Provost during the graduation ceremony.
Sat. May 2 6:00p Annual Alumni Banquet, Haworth Center Ballroom, tickets $10
Sun. May 3 8:00 - 9:00am Continental Breakfast, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.:
Grad candidates & their parents, free
$4.50 per other adult family members and friends
$2.25 per child for ages 6-12, free for children ages 0-5
Sun. May 3 10 am - 2 pm
Brunch, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.:
Grad candidates & their parents, free
$9.00 per other adult family members and friends
$4.50 per child for ages 6-12; free for children ages 0-5
Sun. May 3 9:30 or 11:30 am BACCALAUREATE, Dimnent Memorial Chapel
Sun. May 3 3 pm

COMMENCEMENT, Holland Municipal Stadium. If rain, DeVos Fieldhouse.
Check www.hope.edu or call the switchboard, (616) 395-7000, for weather updates.

Wed. May 13 Registrar's office begins posting May graduation on transcripts.
Fri. Jun. 12 Approximate date of first diploma order for May grads. It takes about 2 months to receive the order and then send them out to graduates. Diplomas are held for graduates with a balance with Student Accounts. Graduates should be sure to update their permanent addresses with the college - 25% of diplomas are returned for incorrect addresses!

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Senior Days
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4 & 5, 2009
9:30am – 4:30pm

Senior Days are when you will submit various forms and information regarding participation in Commencement Weekend activities, as well as ordering information for caps & gowns, graduation announcements, and class rings.

 

  • Students should come prepared to identify which Baccalaureate worship service they’ve chosen (9:30 or 11:30) and how many tickets they will need (guests need them - students do not; 2 or 3 tickets is the maximum request allowed). Attendance at Baccalaureate is optional, but informing the College of plans to attend is mandatory. Questions? Please contact Kathy Miller in Public Relations at 616.395.7860 or via email at kmiller@hope.edu.

  • Purchasing graduation announcements is optional, yet we recognize that many parents wish to share the news of their student's accomplishments. If you are interested, you can submit an order during Senior Days. Announcements are offered through the Hope-Geneva Bookstore.

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Caps, Gowns, Announcements, and Class Rings

Students will place orders for caps, gowns, announcements and class rings during Senior Days.

There is no charge for students to order their cap and gown.

There are early order discounts for announcements ordered during Senior Days. Announcements are offered through the Hope-Geneva Bookstore. Hope College offers class rings in cooperation with Jostens.

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Class of 2009 Important Dates

Senior Days
February 4-5
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
DeWitt Lounge

Cap & Gown Pick-Up
April 13-14
8:30 am - Noon
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
DeWitt Herrick Room

Senior Celebration
April 14
7:00 pm
DeVos Fieldhouse

Honors Convocation
April 23
7:00 pm
Dimnent Chapel

Commencement Rehearsal
April 29
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm
DeVos Fieldhouse

Annual Alumni Banquet
May 2
6:00 pm
Haworth Inn Ballroom

Baccalaureate
May 3
9:30 am or 11:30 am
Dimnent Chapel

Commencement
May 3
3:00 pm
Holland Municipal Stadium