2008 Commencement Exercises

Sunday, May 18, at 10 a.m. at Bellarmine Hall Lawn

Commencement 2008 Details
(Updated May 2, 2008)

Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns should be obtained from Canisius Hall, Room 1 on Wednesday, May 14 from noon until 6:00 p.m. With the alternate rain plan, it is imperative that as many degree candidates as possible pick up caps and gowns in advance of Sunday morning. Caps and gowns do not have to be returned. They are for the graduates to keep.

Assembly
Degree and certificate candidates will meet their Marshals in Canisius Hall and Donnarumma Hall at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 18 (7:45 if the rain plan is in effect). Marshals will direct the formation of columns of pairs arranged in alphabetic order. Marshals will then direct their group in the procession to Bellarmine Terrace.

Procession
Upon the signal of the Marshal-in-Chief, the candidates will begin processing, following their Marshals, in the following order:

    University College

       Associate in Arts
       Bachelor of Arts (Professional Studies)
       Bachelor of Science (Professional Studies)
       Master of Arts

    College of Arts and Sciences

       Bachelor of Arts
       Bachelor of Science
       Master of Arts
       Master of Science

    School of Nursing

       Bachelor of Science
       Master of Science in Nursing

    Charles F. Dolan School of Business

       Bachelor of Science
       Master of Science
       Master of Business Administration

    School of Engineering

       Associate in Engineering
       Bachelor of Science in Engineering
       Master of Science  

    Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions

       Master of Arts
       Certificate of Advanced Study

Candidates for Certificates of Advanced Study wear their hoods. All others carry their hoods over the left arm. They remain standing with caps on until dignitaries are in place on stage. Men remove their caps for the National Anthem and for the invocation. For the remainder of the ceremonies all candidates should wear their caps.

Conferral of Degree
When asked to rise by its Dean, each group of candidates stands and remains standing as it is presented to the President. Thereupon, graduates will be instructed to don their hoods, except for Candidates for Certificates of Advanced Study who are already wearing their hoods, and to advance to be recognized and greeted individually by the President.

Candidates leave their seats by the side aisle. Marshals direct them in groups of approximately forty to the base of the stairs at the right (east) side of the stage. On direction of their Marshal, they proceed to receive their diplomas from the President. They return to their seats by the center aisle.

Diplomas
Diplomas will be given out in the Kelley Center Presentation Room immediately following the ceremony. Graduates not obtaining their diplomas by 1:30 p.m. can obtain them the following week in the University Registrar's Office also in the Kelley Center or request that they be mailed to them. Graduates are reminded, however, that diplomas will be withheld from graduates who have not satisfied their financial obligations to the University. Also, any last semester changes in honors will have to be reordered.

Assembly and Ceremony in Case of Inclement Weather
Should heavy rain force an alteration of commencement activities, a public announcement will be made beginning at 7:00 a.m. on local radio stations and on the University Website. The Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport will be alternate site. Degree candidates will still report to their assigned rooms in Canisius and Donnarumma Halls to meet their Marshals. Then, degree candidates will be bussed to the Arena at Harbor Yard.

Upon arriving at the Arena at Harbor Yard, your Marshal will escort you to the seating area. The seating floor plan will be identical to the outdoor plan. At the end of the ceremony, all degree candidates will be bussed back to Alumni Hall. Diplomas can be picked up in the Kelley Center Presentation Room. Arrange in advance with your families on a place to meet. Anyone who does not return on the bus can go to the Registrar's Office on Monday to pick up their diplomas or they will be maile

Letter from the President

Fairfield University will hold its 58th Commencement Exercises beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 18, 2008, I know that for you, as well as for your graduating sons and daughters, Commencement will be a memorable event.

In an attempt to anticipate some of the questions that you may have regarding this year's Commencement, several members of the University have compiled a list of frequently-asked questions. I am pleased to enclose the result of their work in this brochure and I hope that you will find it helpful as you make your preparations. If you have any questions that are not answered here, you will find several telephone numbers that you can call for assistance.

During the last week in April 2008, your son/daughter may pick up five Commencement tickets for the outdoor graduation exercises on Bellarmine Lawn or, in the case of severely inclement weather, tickets for ceremonies held at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Commencement, if at all possible, will be held outdoors, so please come prepared with appropriate rain gear.

I also invite you to join us for the Baccalaureate Mass which will be held in Alumni Hall at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Many of you will be arriving that day for the Family-Graduates' Dance, which will be held later in the evening, and I am hopeful that you and your family will be able to attend the Eucharistic Celebration with your graduating sons and daughters.

While it is still early in the academic year, I, as President, want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the successful accomplishments of your sons and daughters during their years at Fairfield University. As parents, you, more than anyone else, can be justifiably proud of them. All of us at the University share your pride, and I look forward to celebrating with you the culmination of their four years at Fairfield University.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J.
President

Listen to the Fairfield University Alma Mater, as performed by the Glee Club

Read the 2007 Commencement Address
Given by The Rev. Thomas Regan, S.J., the Provincial Superior of the New England Province of the Society of Jesus

Watch the 2007 Valedictory Speech
Running time: 9 min., 23 sec. (Requires QuickTime)