Commencement 2012

Emory Law invites parents, family and friends to join us as we celebrate the Class of 2012.

2012 Emory University Commencement Schedule of Events

All Schools and Hooding and Diploma Ceremonies

Inclement weather plan: More information: Inclement weather plan

Monday, May 14, 2012

7:15 a.m.	Graduates: Gather behind the Carlos Museum on the Quadrangle at 7:15 a.m. to line up. Graduation Marshals are Ethan Rosenzweig and Cass Blackburn Families: Please find a seat on the main quad when you arrive. Check the graduation program to see where the Law School graduates will be seated on the quad. Those with special seating passes should ask an usher for directions.

8 - 9:30 a.m.	The 167th Commencement Exercises of Emory University The Quadrangle The academic procession begins at 8 a.m. President James W. Wagner will preside over the exercises. The ceremony includes the Commencement speaker, conferral of Honorary Degrees, and conferral of degrees en masse. Parking is available in all University parking decks and lots, with shuttle service to the Quadrangle. Guests should plan to arrive early. At the conclusion of the all-schools ceremony, the schools will host diploma ceremonies and receptions at the locations and times listed below. Contact: Michael Kloss, 404.727.1984 This ceremony will be webcast. Please refer to the Law School Commencement Website for the rain plan. Information is also available at the Emory University Commencement Website. Faculty and Graduates: The Graduation Marshals will lead the law graduates off of the quadrangle. They will then proceed to Tull Auditorium to be lined up for the Hooding and Diploma Ceremony. Families: Are invited to enjoy breakfast at Gambrell Hall while the law graduates line up for the Hooding and Diploma Ceremony. In mid to late February, law degree candidates will receive printed graduation materials containing instructions and deadlines.

9:30 a.m.	Following the All-Schools Ceremony, graduates will recess following the Marshals off the quad. All families and graduates will proceed to Gambrell Hall. Guests are invited to a breakfast buffet to be held on the First Floor of Gambrell Hall. Graduates and Faculty will have breakfast in the Hunter Atrium on the Third Floor of Gambrell Hall.

10:30 a.m.	School of Law Hooding and Diploma Ceremony Gambrell Hall South Lawn Graduating students and their guests will proceed to the South Lawn ceremony from The Quadrangle. Dean David Partlett will preside. Contact: Celeste Katz, 404.727.8031 A professional photographer will take photos of each graduate as he or she is hooded and again when receiving a diploma. Graduates: Individual rows of graduates will be directed to stand by the Graduation Marshals. As their name is called, they will walk to the right side of the stage to be hooded and photographed. They will then cross to the opposite side of the stage to receive a rolled diploma and shake hands with Dean Partlett. Another photograph will be taken. After that they will walk down the steps and back to their seat. Students receive blank diplomas when crossing the stage at the Law School Diploma Ceremony. Actual engraved diplomas are picked up when regalia is returned on graduation day. Instructions will be distributed closer to the event. Rain Location: TBD

Rain Site Information

Commencement is a rain-or-shine event, though changes are made to event timings and locations. There are two versions of the inclement weather plan based on the severity of the weather. The decision to continue on the Quadrangle or which inclement weather plan will be implemented will be announced at 6 a.m. Commencement morning. Emory's hotline (404.727.1234) and the Law School website will also announce any inclement weather plans.

IN THE EVENT OF DRIZZLE OR LIGHT RAIN
The all-schools ceremony will go forward at 8 a.m. The audience is invited to use umbrellas. Depending on the force of the rain and the safety of weather conditions, the president could decide to confer all degrees en masse and conclude the ceremony. Diploma ceremonies would then be held as listed below. Should weather conditions improve sufficiently, the Law School may proceed with the outdoor diploma ceremony. During outdoor ceremonies, if weather conditions deteriorate and become unsafe, the ceremonies will be abbreviated. Ushers and safety marshals will direct guests to exits and safe shelter.

IN THE EVENT OF SEVERE WEATHER
(Torrential downpour, lightning, tornado warning, hurricane, hail, blizzard) The all-schools ceremony on the Quadrangle will be canceled. A remnant of the Quadrangle ceremony—the commencement address and the awarding of honorary degrees—will be held in Glenn at 9 a.m., together with the graduate school diploma ceremony. The ceremony will proceed exactly as set forth in the printed program, except that the Brittain Award will be presented at the recipient's diploma ceremony. The Jefferson Award will be presented with honorary degrees.

Times posted here are subject to change. Guests should arrange travel plans for late afternoon departures. The Law School Diploma Ceremony will take place at Symphony Hall, Atlanta, GA at 10:30 a.m.

More information: Inclement weather plan

Commencement Forms for the Class of 2012 >>

Hooding

Following the main ceremony on the quadrangle, the Law School Hooding and Diploma Ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the South Lawn of Gambrell Hall. It will last between 1.5 to 2 hours.

Current third-year students will select a faculty member to hood the graduating class. Law graduates also have the option to invite to the stage a family member or close friend who holds a JD Degree to perform the hooding. Hooders do not wear academic regalia although they may want to dress in business attire for photographs.

Photos/Video

A professional photographer will take formal graduation portraits for law students in February and/or March. Interested students should go to Room 1A between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the dates (TBD). Professional photographers will take photographs as the graduates are hooded and again when they receive a diploma.

Photographers will also be on the first floor of Gambrell Hall to take formal family shots after the ceremony.

Special Seating and Wheelchair Rental

Those with special needs should complete the Special Services form and fax it to Convocations, 404.727.7359 by May 1, 2012. Two passes—one for the guest and another to accompany him/her to a special seating area—will be mailed after that date. Requests postmarked after the deadline and telephone requests will not be honored.