Graduates: Schedule (tentative)

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Campus Store
Hours: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Johnny's Cafe (Fish House closed)
Hours: 8:00 am - 1:30 pm

Spoelhof Cafe
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Cap & Gown Pick Up
Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, FAC 123

Department of Nursing Pinning Ceremony
8:00 - 9:00 pm, Fine Arts Center (tickets not required)

 

NOTE:

There is NO REHEARSAL scheduled for Saturday, May 17.
It is imperative that graduates attend the Senior Brunch for pre-ceremony instructions. Graduates should plan to arrive at the Van Andel Arena by 1:15 pm on Saturday afternoon.

 


Friday, May 16, 2008

Campus Store
Hours: 8:00 am - 7:30 pm

Johnny's Cafe (Fish House closed)
Hours: 8:00 am - 1:30 pm

Spoelhof Cafe
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Cap & Gown Pick Up
Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, FAC 123

Worship Service
5:00 pm, Calvin Chapel (tickets not required)
Join in a service of thanksgiving and celebration of God's faithfulness to Calvin graduates and to all His people.

Celebration Cookout
Commencement Cookout 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Commons Lawn (tickets not required)
You and your family are invited to a cookout on the Commons Lawn, Friday, May 18, catered by our own Creative Dining Services. Serving will begin at 5:30 pm and continue until 7:00 pm. Tickets are not required, though please limit the size of your party to one graduate and up to 6 guests. Ground seating only so casual dress is encouraged. You and your guests are invited to bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, etc. The rain location will be the Knollcrest and Commons Dining Halls.

 2008 Bachelor of Arts Exhibition and Reception
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Spoelhof College Center Art Gallery
(tickets not required)

Reception for International Graduates and their Parents
7:00 - 9:00 pm, Prince Conference Center

Teacher Commissioning Ceremony
7:30 pm, Fine Arts Center Auditorium (tickets not required)

Saturday, May 17, 2008

  

Johnny's Cafe (Fish House closed)
Hours: 8:00 am - 1:30 pm

Campus Store Hours
9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Senior Brunch Celebration: Zero Day
9:00-10:30 am, The Commons Dining Hall

Graduates: Please do not park in the FAC lot due to the Calvin Seminary Commencement at 11:00 am. Please park at the east campus in the De Vos / Prince lots or lots on the west side of campus.

Please note that the Senior Brunch is an event for the class of 2008 graduates only; in consideration of space limitations in the Commons Dining Hall, the college is not able to accommodate parents and family members at this event. (NOTE: This year there will not be a pre-ceremony rehearsal at the Van Andel Arena. It is imperative that graduates be present at the Senior Brunch to receive pre-ceremony instructions).

Time for Driving, Parking at the Van Andel Arena
11:00 am -1:15 pm. Graduates should plan their arrival and parking time so that they are inside the Van Andel Arena by 1:15 pm. The college is not able to provide transportation to or parking at or near the Van Andel Arena; each graduate is responsible to arrange for his/her own transportation and parking. Carpooling with classmates and friends is strongly encouraged. Parking in metered spaces on all downtown streets are free on Saturday; nearby parking lots will charge a parking fee of $6 - $8.

Commencement Ceremony
2:00 - 3:30 pm, Van Andel Arena (130 West Fulton, downtown Grand Rapids)

Doors to the Van Andel Arena will open at 1:00 pm. Tickets, ordered in advance by the graduate, are required for all guests. Each graduate will receive a Commencement ticket order form at Senior Salute (February 19-20, 2008). There is no charge for Commencement tickets. To accommodate family members and guests of nearly 900 graduates, we kindly ask that ticket requests not exceed eight guests per graduate. Commencement tickets will be available for pick up at the Calvin College Box Office by the graduate from May 5-16, 2008. Graduates will be responsible for distributing these tickets to parents, family members, and other guests attending Commencement. If additional tickets are needed please contact the Calvin Box Office. 616-526-6282.

We anticipate many guests and heavy traffic, so please allow ample time for parking and walking to the facilities.

Following the ceremony the arena and surrounding area will be heavily congested with graduates and guests trying to locate each other. It is highly recommended that a location be established in advance where graduates and guests can meet outside of the arena.

Because of space constraints in and around the arena there will not be an organized post-ceremony reception this year. Graduates, their guests, and Calvin faculty are cordially invited to celebrate with us at the Commencement Cookout at 5:30 pm on Friday evening, May 16.

Graduation Robes: Graduates are directed to return robes to the banquet room near the front lobby of Van Andel Arena after the ceremony on Saturday, May 17. Graduates planning to return to campus for photos may return robes to FAC room 123. All graduation robes must be returned to one of these two locations no later than 5:00 pm on Saturday afternoon.