Southwest Tennessee Community College Commencement 2008
Quick Facts:
Who: Individuals eligible for graduation
What: Commencement
Where: Desoto Civic Center
Date: May 3, 2008
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Arrival and Assembly for Academic Procession
Cap and Gown and Pronouncer Card Distribution
Directions to the Desoto Civic Center
Graduation Honors for the Ceremony
Services for Individuals with Disabilities
Ceremony Etiquette
Alcoholic beverages, musical instruments, noisemakers, silly string, camera tripods, and celebratory food items are prohibited in the Desoto Civic Center and may be confiscated by The Desoto Civic Center staff. No one carrying, or under the influence of alcoholic beverages will be allowed entry to the ceremony.
Cell Phones
The use of cellular phones is disruptive to both participants and guests. Please refrain from using all phones.
Smoke Free
The Desoto Civic Center is a smoke-free environment. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.
Arrival and Assembly for Academic Procession
Candidates must present themselves in cap and gown, with Pronouncer card, promptly at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 3, 2008, at the Desoto Civic Center. Candidates only should enter the Desoto Civic Center through the "west" entrance. College marshals will help direct candidates to the appropriate line-up areas and lead the procession into the commencement ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Seats cannot be held for candidates who arrive late. Graduates are prohibited from using mobile phones or other communication devices during the procession and ceremony.
Candidates will line-up in alphabetical order, by academic division as indicated by the color of the Pronouncer card which will be distributed at the GRAD Fair:
| Color | Academic Division |
|---|---|
| Blue and Green | Business Administration |
| Yellow | Allied Health and Natural Sciences |
| Lavender | Liberal Studies |
Cap and Gown Measurement
Participants in the Commencement ceremony must wear a Southwest Tennessee Community College-approved cap and gown. Candidates are asked not to alter or decorate their regalia in any way or to wear additional articles not directly related to academic merit. Doing so may interfere with their ability to participate.
If you have submitted your application for graduation to the office of Admissions and Records, cap and gown measurement information should be submitted online from March 19 - April 15, 2008. Cap and Gown orders will not be accepted after April 15, 2008.
Faculty cap and gown measurement information online submission
Student cap and gown measurement information online submission
Your measurements for cap and gown cannot be processed unless you have been authorized for graduation. If you are not sure about your graduation status for this semester, please contact your graduation analyst.
| Last Names Beginning with: | Analyst | Telephone Number |
|---|---|---|
| A - L | Pat Brewer | (901) 333-4795 |
| M - Z | Stephanie Cage | (901) 333-4285 |
Ordering Honor Society Hoods
Graduates who are members of Phi Theta Kappa and are interested in purchasing Phi Theta Kappa regalia must do so by contacting Phi Theta Kappa headquarters. Orders may be made by telephone, (800) 946-9996, or online, at http://www.ptk.org/recognitions/catalog/08/graduation/. Students are free to wear any of the regalia items sold. To order regalia, students must provide his or her membership number. If you are unsure of your membership number, please contact your PTK or ABG advisor.
Cap and Gown Return after Ceremony
Cap and gown return will occur immediately following the commencement ceremony, upon exiting the arena. If you have questions regarding commencement, please call the Office of Admissions and Records at (901) 333-5924.
Cap and Gown and Pronouncer Card Distribution
During the GRAD Fair, you must pick up your pronouncer card before you pick up you cap and gown. Caps and gowns will not be issued to students without pronouncer cards. Only the graduate may pick up the pronouncer card.
Gowns must be returned to the company representatives immediately after the ceremony at the Desoto Civic Center. You may keep the cap and tassel.
Tassels are worn to the right side for the Processional.
Male students receive a black robe and mortar board. Male graduates are advised to wear dress trousers in a dark color, a white shirt with tie, dark shoes, and dark socks.
Female students receive a black robe, mortar board, and a white collar. Female graduates are advised to wear an appropriate day dress or slacks and comfortable dark shoes. You may need to bring bobby pins or safety pins with you to the ceremony.
| Date | Time | Campus | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 29, 2008 | 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Union Avenue Campus | B Building Room 106 |
| April 30, 2008 | 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. | Macon Cove Campus | Nabors Auditorium |
C-Base Exam
The C-Base exam is required for all graduates. Testing dates for the C-Base exam run from April 14-26th. More information, including times and locations, can be found here.
Commencement Speakers
Southwest is pleased to announce Nontombi Naomi Tutu as the speaker for the sping 2008 commencement.
Commencement Rehearsal
There will be no rehearsal for commencement. Caps and gowns and graduation information will be distributed at the GRAD Fair to be held in on April 29, 2008, and April 30, 2008.
Diplomas
Diplomas are inscribed with the college, degree title, your name, date of award, and academic honor. On all diplomas with A.A.S. degrees, the major and concentration are listed on the diploma. All diplomas with A.A. or A.S. degrees will list the respective Associate of Arts or Associate of Science. Diploma covers are presented at commencement and diplomas will be mailed within six to eight weeks after commencement.
Directions to the Desoto Civic Center
From the North
Take Interstate 55 (I-55) South towards Jackson, Mississippi. Take Exit #287 (Church Road). Exit right on Church Road. Merge immediately into the left hand lane. Take the first left turn which is Venture Drive. Follow signs for parking.
From the South
Take Interstate 55 (I-55) North towards Memphis, Tennessee. Take Exit #287 (Church Road). Turn left on Church Road. Merge into the left lane and take the first left turn on Venture Drive. Follow signs for parking.
From the East
From Highway 78 you will take the exit for Highway 302 (Goodman Road). You will go west on Goodman Road. At Interstate 55 (I-55) you will need to take the south bound lanes. Take the next exit #287 (Church Road). Take a right on Church Road going west, merge into left lane immediately. Take 1st left at Venture Drive. Follow signs for parking.
From the West
From highway 61 turn going east on Church Road. Follow Church Road to Venture Drive. Take a right on to Venture Drive and follow the signs for parking.
From the Memphis International Airport
From airport parking follow the signs for the Winchester Road exit. Take Winchester to the Airways Extension. Turn left. Follow Airways until you come to Goodman Road. Take a right on Goodman Road. At I-55 go South to exit #287 (Church Road), immediately merge into your left-hand lane. Take the first road to the left, Venture Drive. Follow signs for parking.
For driving directions from your home to the Desoto Civic Center, 4560 Venture Drive, Southaven, MS 38671-9719, please use this link.
Graduation Honors for the Ceremony
Graduation honors for the ceremony are determined by using college level grade point average for coursework through the fall semester. Candidates who are attending the ceremony and are eligible for academic honors will be given gold cords when they pick up their cap and gown.
Graduates who are members of Phi Theta Kappa and are interested in purchasing Phi Theta Kappa regalia must do so by contacting Phi Theta Kappa headquarters. Orders may be made by telephone, (800) 946-9996, or online, at http://www.ptk.org/recognitions/catalog/08/graduation/. Students are free to wear any of the regalia items sold. To order regalia, students must provide his or her membership number. If you are unsure of your membership number, please contact your PTK or ABG advisor.
Parking
Parking at the Desoto Civic Center lot is free of charge.
If you have questions regarding commencement, please call the Office of Admissions and Records (901) 333-5924.
Photographs
A photo will be taken as you receive your diploma. Mangiante Photography, http://www.mangiantephoto.com/, will contact you directly about your proofs several weeks after the ceremony. Please include correct contact information on the Pronouncer card that you pass to the announcer. Should you need to contact Mangiante Photography, the telephone number is: (901) 767-6555, or (866) 690-PICS (7427).
Services for Students with Disabilities
Degree candidates with special needs are asked to contact Al Hudson at (901) 333-5113 by April 25, 2008.
Commencement Seating for Guests with Disabilities
Guests who are hearing impaired or who arrive in their own wheelchairs may be seated in specially designated seating sections of the Desoto Civic Center. An interpreter will be present to accommodate individuals with hearing impairment. The Desoto Civic Center does not provide loaner wheelchairs.
