New Graduate Student Hooding Ceremonies Planned

Dear Graduate Students and Faculty Members:

After receiving extensive feedback from graduate students, faculty, and the academic cabinet, we are pleased to announce that for the 2019 Commencement, the College will present two hooding ceremonies for graduate students of the School of the Arts and the School of Communication. Both ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Robert J. Orchard Stage in the Paramount Center, with the School of the Arts ceremony taking place from 2:00–3:30 pm, and the School of Communication ceremony scheduled from 4:30–6:00 pm.  A total of four general admission guest tickets will be available to each graduate student who registers to participate in their hooding ceremony.

These special academic ceremonies offer members of the community the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of each graduate within their school, in the company of fellow students, graduate faculty, staff, friends, and family on Emerson’s campus. The ceremonies will feature remarks by Dean of Graduate Studies Jan Roberts-Breslin and a graduate student speaker, as well as a presentation of the Dean’s Award. Each graduate will be invited on stage to receive a diploma cover given by the school dean, and a hood presented by Provost Michaele Whelan. Diplomas will be mailed to graduates during the summer.

Graduate students are also invited to attend the College Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 12, from 10:00 am–1:00 pm, at Agganis Arena at Boston University, for the celebration with President Pelton and the 2019 honorary degree recipients. A total of two general admission guest tickets will be available to each graduate student who registers to participate in the Commencement ceremony. Please note that with the addition of the Saturday hooding ceremonies, Sunday’s Commencement program will be a combined ceremony celebrating both undergraduates and graduates, with graduate students being asked to rise and be recognized by school and degrees.

Updates and additional details and logistics will be available by the end of November on the Commencement website.

We appreciate all of the feedback that has been shared and we look forward to celebrating with you this May.

Sincerely,

Michaele Whelan                                                     Jan Roberts-Breslin

Provost and Vice President                                   Dean of Graduate Studies