KU is famous for its graduation walk down the hill. But the day before that happens, the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications invites its graduates to attend its Recognition Ceremony and Reception at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at the Lied Center.
The school is proud of its many smart, ambitious and creative graduates and sets this time aside to recognize each one on stage at the Lied Center. All graduates will be asked to walk across the stage in the appropriate caps and gowns so we can recognize you and honor you with a special keepsake. And once that is done, the school invites all graduates and guests to a picnic after-party on the Stauffer-Flint Hall lawn. If you or your guests have requests for accommodations, please email jschool@ku.edu. (Please send the request at least two weeks before the event, so that we have time to arrange the accommodations.)
Here's what you need to do to prepare:
Apply for your degree.
You must apply for graduation through Enroll & Pay by the appropriate deadline, based on the semester in which you intend to graduate. If you are unsure about this, please check with your advisor for specifics. You must complete this step on time through Enroll & Pay in order for your degree to be certified. This is required for you to officially graduate from KU.
Update your contact info in the KU System.
Update both your address AND your parents’ address through Enroll & Pay. This is very important if you want your diploma mailed to the correct address.
Deck yourself out in regalia.
This is the fun part—when it starts to feel real that you're about to graduate. To participate in our recognition ceremony, you MUST wear a cap and gown. School of Journalism undergraduate tassels are cardinal (deep red). Master's students will need a master's robe with a black tassel and a maroon hood. Information on caps and gowns, diplomas, announcements and other graduation information can be found on the KU Commencement website.
Prepare to attend.
(Don't worry; it's easy.) Good news! We do NOT assign seats at the ceremony, so your guests won't need tickets to attend. You WILL, however, need to pick up your name card up to three weeks in advance during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Undergraduates: Pick up your name card in the Student Services Center in 117 Stauffer-Flint. Graduate students: Pick up your name card from Jammie Johnson in 115 Stauffer-Flint. You will fill out your name card and bring it to the graduation ceremony so the announcer can read your name as you cross the stage. The card will also be used to identify you in your graduation photo. Make sure you fill it out carefully and completely (including the phonetic spelling of your name, if you think it's needed). When you pick up your name card, you also will fill out a graduation survey so that we have your permanent address and career plans on file. We want to stay in touch with you after graduation, send you The Jayhawk Journalist alumni magazine and learn the great things you do in your career and life.
Show up on time.
Report to the Lied Center on Saturday, May 18, 2019. Please report to the Pavilion area in the Lied Center before 8:10 a.m. to gather with the rest of the graduates before the processional. We will start lining up for the processional at 8:20 a.m. Please be on time, wear your cap and gown, and don't forget to bring your name card! School staff and faculty will direct you from there, so you can relax, have fun and enjoy the celebration and cheering. (There is always a lot of cheering.)
Bring your completed name card.
Bring your name card to give to the announcer. Please complete this information before you arrive at the Lied Center. The faculty and staff will line you up for the processional. Dean Ann Brill will begin the procession promptly. Degree candidates will sit in the center front section on the main floor. Just follow the leader. All will remain standing until the procession ends and then be seated all at once.
Enjoy your moment on stage.
During the recognition part of the program, you will ascend the stairs to the stage and hand your name card to the announcer. The announcer will read your name as you cross the stage to receive your journalism keepsake and congratulations from the track chairs and Dean Brill. (NOTE: If you think it's likely your name will be mispronounced, please be sure to write the phonetic pronunciation on the name card to help the announcer. You matter to us, so we want to do this right!)
Take your graduation photo.
Photographers will take your picture on stage, and as soon as you walk off stage, you also will have a posed photo taken backstage. Photos will be available for you to purchase later.
Walk out triumphantly.
At the end of the program, there will be a faculty recessional, followed by a student recessional. Just follow the leader and enjoy your special moment. You've worked so hard to get there!
Celebrate at the picnic after-party.
Bring your friends and family and join us for a celebratory reception right after the ceremony on the Stauffer-Flint lawn. Soak in your last moments as a J-School student because the next day, you'll be a KU alumnus!
WALK DOWN THE HILL ON SUNDAY. The University of Kansas Commencement Ceremony will be Sunday, May 17, 2020, beginning with the walk down the hill into Memorial Stadium. Find the details on the KU Commencement website.
If you have questions, please email jschool@ku.edu or call 785-864-4755.
Congratulations, graduates! We applaud your accomplishment, wish you the best of luck and hope you will join us on Saturday, May 16, 2020. It will be a happy and joyous morning, and we hope to see you there.
