Commencement Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 15
5:30-7 p.m. – President's Reception for master's degree candidates, President's House
Friday, May 16
4 p.m. – Baccalaureate Service, Glavin Family Chapel
5-7 p.m. – Graduate School Awards Ceremony, Olin Auditorium, Olin Hall (invitation only)
Saturday, May 17
12:30 p.m. – Graduate school class photo, steps of Knight Auditorium
1:30 p.m. – Master's degree candidates assemble, Webster Center
2:10 p.m. – Master's degree academic procession begins
2:30 p.m. – Master's degree Commencement exercises, Upper Athletic Fields
Following the ceremony a light reception for master's degree recipients and guests will take place in Staake Gymnasium, lower level of the Webster Center
For further information about graduate school activities, call 781-239-4301.
Master's Degree Ceremony
F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business
Babson’s 56th Commencement ceremony for the Graduate school will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. The academic procession for Commencement will leave from the Webster Center and begin promptly at 2:10 p.m. The ceremony will be held under the tent on the Upper Athletic Fields. More than 4,000 guests will attend this event. Family and guests attending the ceremony should be seated by 2 p.m. Guests also may view the exercises via live broadcast in Sorenson Theater if they choose to be inside.
New this year, for family and friends who cannot attend, the ceremony can be viewed online. Please visit the Commencement homepage for more information.
Organizing a procession of 600 master's degree recipients takes more than one hour. Therefore, we ask that all degree candidates be in the assembly area at the Webster Center by 1:30 p.m. The class photo will be taken on the steps of Knight Auditorium at 12:30 p.m., one hour prior to assembling for the procession.
Please be aware that Babson's bachelor's degree ceremony will be held earlier in the day on May 17th. The undergraduate ceremony will conclude by 12:30 p.m. and the Commencement tent on the Upper Athletic Fields will be reset for this ceremony. Guests will not be allowed to enter the Commencement tent until 1:00 p.m. to allow time to prepare the tent for the master's degree ceremony.
Announcements
Personalized announcements may be purchased online by our vendor, Balfour, at www.balfour.com/college/gradannouncements.aspx or by calling 1-877-225-3687. When purchasing, be sure you order announcements for the appropriate ceremony (graduate vs. undergraduate). Please allow three weeks for delivery.
Commencement Clearance Process (CCP)
and Academic Regalia
In order to participate in Commencement, all degree candidates must log into the Babson Portal where there will be a designated portlet for the Commencement Clearance Process. Here, candidates will view and complete the requirements necessary to pick up their cap and gown and participate in the ceremony. Requirements include fulfilling financial obligation, surveys, etc. This site will be made available to degree candidates approximately two weeks before Commencement.
Caps and gowns are furnished by the College at no charge to graduates. Caps, gowns, hoods, and tassels may be kept as souvenirs of this memorable occasion. Regalia for master's degree candidates will be available at the bookstore the week of May 12, Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Friday, May 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Remember: Candidates cannot pick up their cap and gown until all requirements have been fulfilled through the Commencement Clearance Process.
Academic Procession
The academic procession for the master’s degree ceremony will form on the track inside the Webster Center beginning at 1:30 p.m. The order of the procession is as follows: chief marshal, governance, faculty and staff, graduate student council president, master’s degree graduates and the platform party. The formal ceremony begins when all members of the platform party have reached the stage.
Weather Information
Commencement will be held under the tent, rain or shine, in order to accommodate a larger audience. Since New England weather can vary in May, we ask our guests to please dress appropriately for the conditions. Candidates and guests must provide their own umbrellas and raincoats. Participants and guests should come prepared if inclement weather is expected on Commencement day.
PLEASE NOTE: Regardless of weather conditions, Babson will provide a live broadcast of the ceremony in Sorenson Theater for guest viewing. In addition, the ceremony can be viewed online. Please visit the homepage for more information.
In the event of an extreme weather emergency, please refer to the homepage for updates or the Babson College Information Line, 781-239-INFO (4636), for detailed information.
Important Phone Numbers
Please call the Office of Special Events at 781-239-5265 if you have any questions regarding the Commencement ceremony. Below are some important phone numbers to keep handy.
-Academic status (Registrar)
781-239-5019
-Accessibility Accommodations – visual, hearing, or
orthopedic/mobility-related impairment
781-239-5252
-Alumni Office
781-239-4562
-Babson Executive Conference Center
781-239-4000 or www.babsonecc.com
-Balfour (announcements)
1-877-225-3687 or www.balfour.com/college/gradannouncements.aspx
-Bookstore
781-239-4375 or http://babson.bkstore.com
-Campus Information
781-239-4636
-Caps and Gowns (bookstore)
781-239-4375
-Center for Career Development (Graduate)
781-239-4210
-Chappell Graduation Images (photographer)
1-800-424-3686 or www.chappell.com
-Grad Week Events
graduatestudentcouncil@babson.edu or 781-239-4301
-Main Campus Number
781-235-1200
-Office of Program Management
781-239-4474
-Panfoto (class photo)
781-877-9595 or www.panfoto.com
-Public Safety
781-239-5555
-Student Financial Services
781-239-4219
-Weather Information (campus information)
781-239-4636
You may also download the complete
2008 Graduate Commencement Booklet
