University of Southern Maine

Graduation/Convocation December 2008

Here is some important information about the August Nursing Convocation. This ceremony is for all graduates, undergraduate and graduate alike! Convocation consist of a pinning ceremony where all graduates receive the traditional pin representing graduation from the USM nursing program.  The convocation ceremony represents an opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments along with closure among family, friends, and the USM nursing community. We hope that you will attend this wonderful event.

IMPORTANT Rehearsal and Convocation information

Rehearsal: 
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Time: 2pm - 3pm
Place: Hannaford Hall

Convocation: 
Date: Friday, December 19, 2008
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Place: Hannaford Hall, Abromson Center, Portland Campus
Reception: Same as above

Nursing Pins:
Information coming SOON!

If you have problems opening a form, please contact Sarah Haglund.

Photographs:
If you would like to have a package of three photographs (for $25) taken by a photographer, one class photo and two stage photos, please sign up on the 480 discussion board for undergrads or for RNs and Grad students sign up on the door of 334 Masterton. We need to confirm that a the photographer will have at least $400 of orders. Please be sure to commit to this as she will charge the school for the fee if not enough orders are submitted. If you committ to this photo, I would like to emphasize that we don’t want family members to feel slighted so they need to know your decision on this so the flashes and such don’t compete.

Invitations:
Each graduate will receive 5 invitations.  Please notify jdvorak@usm.main.edu if you are not planning to attend.

What to Wear:
All graduates wear academic regalia, which the University provides for graduation (at no cost).  Regalia may be picked up at the Woodbury Campus center.  Check to see if your Univeristy honor cord is there if you ae graduating cum laude, summa cum laude or magna cum laude.  It is the registrar's office that calculates these honors now and it will be updated based on your final grades when you get your actual diploma.  Sigma Theta Tau honor society cords you must order yurself from Sigma.  If you are a member, you can wear a cord.  See their web site for that order information.

Attire under your robes can be of your choosing. Your legs and shoes do show and you may be taking your robe off for the reception that follows.

Sentiment Cards:
"Pinning" or "Hooding" cards are the sentiments you want faculty to read while you are being pinned...

Instructions for Pinning Cards

There will be a box outside the LRSC (after December 8)  to place your pinning cards for graduation. Please submit your card no later than December 12 to allow time for reading and clarifying if necessary.

Your sentiments must follow these dimensions:

Card size 3 x 5 inches.  If you type it, make it 12 font or larger, and if writing, it must be about that font size and easy to read. Sentiments on One side only please.

On One Side of the Card place:

YOUR NAME

YOUR PINNER(S) NAMES

AND IF YOU WANT THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO YOU.

If names are going to be hard to pronounce, would you spell them out phonetically to help the card reader?

On the second side:

Express whatever sentiment, thank you’s, inspiring words, story, etc. that you want to express. Bear in mind that we have 75 students to be pinned and it takes so if your sentiment is too long, wrong size card or illegible, you will be asked to rewrite it. That said, it is a wonderful and loving way to honor those who have been by your side thru thick and thin or to inspire the "next" generation of siblings.  

Special Needs: 
Graduates who have family members of friends with special needs (wheelchair access, American Sign Language translator) should contact Sarah Haglund with their request as early as possible.

Convocation Committee Members: 
Please contact Jean Dvorak if you would like to join the convocation committee. The committee votes on the alumni and keynote speakers, card readers, invitations, programs, etc.

Miscellaneous:
If you are not subscribed to the CONGRAD, CONUNDER, or RN List-serves, please contact Brenda Webster for subscription information. Most of our correspondence is done via e-mail. 

More information regarding planning, including ways to participate will come from the student planning committee.

Please remember to file for graduation at the Registrar’s Office or print a form from http://www.usm.maine.edu/~reg/applicationfordegree.pdf . (This will begin the process for your diploma).

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask any Committee member, Jean Dvorak, (780-4450) or Sarah Haglund, (780-4131).

Congratulations!

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