Spring 2009 Commencement - National Capital Region
Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.
Congratulations on earning your graduate degree! Pursuing graduate study is not an endeavor many choose, and you have a big reason to celebrate.
Attending graduation gives you the opportunity to share the celebration with family and friends. We hope you’ll join us for the Virginia Tech National Capital Region Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at the Center for the Arts in Fairfax.
Keynote Speaker ~ Shelley Duke, owner and manager of Rallywood Farm in Middleburg, Va., and long-time supporter of Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va., will address graduates at the university's 29th National Capital Region Commencement Ceremony at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 17, at the Center for the Arts located at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.
A native of San Francisco, Duke is chairperson of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center Council, a leadership group that helps guide the center, one of three campuses that comprise the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
In the early 1990’s, Duke established the center’s volunteer program, which provides community members with an opportunity to volunteer in a variety of hospital activities. Her service with the equine medical center led to greater levels of engagement with Virginia Tech, where she has served as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Committee for the veterinary college and the Virginia Tech Foundation.
Duke is presently a member of the Ut Prosim Society, The Legacy Society, the Capital Campaign Steering Committee, and the Women and Leadership in Philanthropy Council. In 2005, she was appointed by then Gov. Mark Warner to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors where she currently serves as chair of the Research Committee, and as a member of the Executive Committee and the Academic Affairs Committee.
Duke is an ex-officio member of the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center Council, a program of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She has demonstrated support of the W.E. Skelton Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Center and the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program of Virginia Tech.
In 2006, her nearly two decades of service to Virginia Tech was recognized when she was designated an honorary alumna by the university’s alumni association.
For more information, read this article.
Attending commencement ~ Graduate candidates must electronically submit through Hokie Spa www.hokiespa.vt.edu an Application for Degree Certificate (AFDC) by March 1, 2009 for degree conferral for names to appear in the Commencement Bulletin. The Plan of Study must be approved prior to submitting the AFDC. PHD and EDD students must also include their dissertation titles when submitting the AFDC for their names to appear in the bulletin. Without this title, names will not be listed. The information entered on the AFDC is used to order the diploma, so ensure that the information is correct. A fee ($25.00) will be assessed to the student’s account. Graduate candidates must confirm plans to attend commencement by completing the Attendance Form found on Hokie Spa (click Degree Menu, Graduate Student Degree Menu, and then Attending Commencement).
Doctoral candidates must complete all requirements, including approval of the Electronic Thesis/Dissertation (ETD) by May 8, 2009, to be eligible to participate in the hooding ceremony during commencement. This deadline allows time to prepare diplomas for presentation on stage to the doctoral candidates. Education Specialist and Master’s diplomas and graduate certificates will be available after the ceremony for graduates who have completed all requirements by the published deadlines. Graduate candidates should check with their departments at check-in to see if their diploma is ready for pick-up. All other diplomas and certificates will be mailed.
Student Check-in ~ Graduate candidates should report to their department tables at 12:00 p.m. where they will receive a name card, then proceed to the robing rooms. Personal belongings cannot be stored in the robing rooms; therefore, arrangements should be made for securing these items. Instructions will be given as to how to be hooded, line up, process and recess.
All graduate candidates will march by degree, college, and department. Line-up will begin at 1:00 p.m. Late arrivals will march at the end of the line.
Academic regalia is required ~ Caps, gowns, hoods, and tassels may be purchased from the university bookstore http://www.bookstore.vt.edu. For academic regalia colors by college, go to: http://grads.vt.edu/academics/completion/commencement.html.
Announcements ~ Announcements may be ordered at
https://www1.herffjones.com/college/graduation/
Guests and Seating ~ Guests will be seated beginning at 12:30 p.m. Seating for individuals with impaired mobility will be available at the ceremony. The Center for the Arts is easily accessible. A sign language interpreter will be provided. The ceremony will last approximately one to two hours. Strollers are not permitted in the auditorium. There is no limit to the number of people you can invite.
Professional Photographer for Commencement ~ CB Photography will take photos of all graduates. Students will be able to view and purchase photographs online at www.cbphotography.com. If you do not want wish to have your photograph online, please let the GSSO know at gsso@nvc.vt.edu.
Parking ~ Free parking is available in Parking Lot K across the road from the concert hall. Officers will be onsite for directions. Handicapped parking is available adjacent to the concert hall. There is a charge for parking in the four level parking garage adjacent to the Concert Hall.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, contact the Graduate Student Services Office 48 hours prior to the event at Tel: (703) 538-8327 or TTY (703) 538-8314
For additional commencement information, contact the Graduate Student Services Office at (703) 538-8327 or gsso@nvc.vt.edu