Who makes the decision whether Commencement will be held outdoors or inside?

The President consults with the director of the College's physical plant department to evaluate the condition of the lawn as well as the weather forecast for the time of the ceremony. If the ground is too wet and muddy or if the forecast calls for rain, high winds or bitterly cold temperatures, the ceremony will be held indoors.

How can I find out if the ceremony will be inside or outside?

A decision will be made Sunday morning. After that decision is made, you can check the College's Web site or call 920-748-8364 to find out where the ceremony will be held.

What is appropriate dress for the Commencement ceremony?

It seems just about anything goes concerning dress. Graduates will wear anything from Sunday best to shorts and a T-shirt. It generally doesn't matter because their attire is concealed beneath their gowns.

Weather is the most important factor when considering what to wear. In Wisconsin, May weather can be balmy or downright frigid. More often than not, it is both in the same day. Please be prepared for changes in temperature by dressing in layers. The ceremony generally lasts an hour and a half, so it may be 50° F and cloudy at the beginning and 75° F and sunny by the end, or vice versa. Nothing compares to an outdoor Commencement ceremony at Ripon, and, if at all possible, the ceremony will be held on the Union lawn as scheduled. So dress appropriately for any changes in the weather.

Suggested accessories: blanket, lawn chair, sunscreen, hat and mittens.

Are tickets needed for the Commencement ceremony?

No. There are no tickets for the Commencement ceremony. Seating is first-come, first-served.

For an outside ceremony seating is rarely an issue. A large number of chairs will be set to accomodate the graduates and the faculty as well as guests. The Union porch sits at the bottom of a natural bowl, and there is lots of space on the sloped lawn for sitting on blankets or lawn chairs.

Similarly, if the ceremony is forced indoors due to weather, there will be a number of seats on the gym floor as well as bleacher seating. Quarters tend to be a bit more cramped indoors making early arrival even more important given the first-come, first-served status.

Are there any accommodations for handicapped or special needs people?

Accessible seating and parking is available for the Commencement ceremony and other weekend events. Individuals requiring special assistance should contact the Office of Alumni Relations by May 1 to ensure appropriate attention to your needs. Please call 920-748-8126 or e-mail alumni@ripon.edu.

May graduates wear honor cords?

The College provides graduates who receive College honors with yellow honor cords. Graduates may be solicited to purchase departmental honor cords within their major or minor area. Be aware, however, that the yellow honor cords recognizing College honors are the only ones allowed to be worn during the ceremony.

Where may I purchase graduation announcements?

Announcements and invitations can be ordered through the Ripon College Bookstore. Call 920-748-8137 or e-mail bookstore@ripon.edu for more information.

How long may graduates remain in their College residence halls after the ceremony?

The residence halls will close at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 13. Unless special permission is granted, all students must have their belongings removed and be checked out before that time.

What do graduates do with their caps and gowns after the ceremony?

Caps, gowns, hoods and tassels worn by the graduates are theirs to keep. Gowns come in handy for Halloween (think judge, priest, caped crusader).

Will the ceremony be recorded?

Blue Moon Video Productions of Ripon will be producing DVDs of the Commencement ceremony, including footage from Saturday's President's Reception and Baccalaureate service.

Copies are $35 for the first and $30 for subsequent copies. For more information, call 920-291-8800 or e-mail naultkevan@hotmail.com.

Will individual photographs be taken of the graduates receiving their degree?

No. The College has had contracted photographers offer this service in the past, however, the demand for such photographs did not make it worth their while. Parents and other family members and friends are welcome to approach the stage to take photos of their own. When doing so, the College asks that you simply be courteous and respectful of other guests and graduates.

Is there a rehearsal ceremony?

Yes. All graduates are encouraged to attend the Commencement rehearsal at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 11, in Farr Hall’s Bear Auditorium. Students will want to be sure Dean Seaman pronounces their name correctly!

Will graduates receive an actual diploma during the ceremony, or will they receive it later?

All students who have been awarded the degree, and for whom there are no outstanding obligations to the College, receive an actual diploma individually signed by the College President and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

Not all students will receive a diploma, however. Students who receive an empty diploma cover either have not been awarded the degree or have been awarded the degree but have an outstanding obligation to the College (i.e., they owe money, they have not returned library books, they have not returned equipment, etc.). Note that some students not receiving the degree have completed the requirements, but are engaged in a program of study and wish to remain undergraduates.

At Commencement rehearsal, the names of students with outstanding obligations are read; therefore, these students will have a chance rectify the situation before the Commencement ceremony.

What do I do once I receive my diploma?

After the president hands a graduate his or her diploma and offers his congratulations, the graduate is expected to return to his or her seat for the remainder of the ceremony. Ripon College graduates do not throw their mortar boards into the air or form a wild mosh pit. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the faculty will recess and form a "receiving line" through which Ripon's newest alumni will recess. A reception will be held in front of Smith Hall (in Aylward Hall when indoors).

What's the deal with the Saturday night church service?

Each year, the College includes an interfaith religious service — known as a baccalaureate service — as part of its Commencement weekend activities. Typically held the evening before Commencement, this year’s baccalaureate service will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at First Congregational Church of Ripon. The ceremony is created by officers of the graduating class and the religion department.

The service does not focus on any one religious faith; rather it includes readings from each of the different religious traditions represented within the senior class. Musical selections also are featured, performed by senior music majors. A brief address also is given by an individual chosen by members of the graduating class.

First Congregational Church of Ripon, located at 220 Ransom St. — just north of East Hall — long has been a good neighbor of the College. Its members contributed significantly to the founding and financial stability of the College in its early years. The Church received the Ripon College Founders’ Day Award in 2001 to recognize the ongoing ties of these longtime neighbors.

All graduating seniors and their families are invited to attend this free event, as are the faculty and staff of the College.

What's so special about the senior brunch and forum?

A long-standing tradition at Ripon, the senior brunch and forum is held annually the morning of Commencement. Far from a “last supper,” the brunch is rather a celebratory feast for the graduates and their friends and families.

A buffet-style meal prepared by Sodexho — the College's food-service provider — will be served from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Included will be French toast, scrambled eggs, carved ham with mustard sauce, carved roast beef au jus, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage, spinach stratta, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, assorted pastries, biscuits and rolls. Juice, coffee, tea, milk and water also will be served.

The meal will be followed by an enlightening discussion featuring our honorary degree recipients as well as the distinguished educator of the year. The forum will focus on the Commencement theme “Health & Service.”

The brunch is free for all graduating seniors who have a food service plan; however, reservations must be made in advance. Cost of the brunch is $12.50 for each friend and family member.

Reservations for the brunch should be made on the “2007 Commencement Weekend Reservation Card.” If you have not received your reservation card, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 920-748-8126 or e-mail alumni@ripon.edu.

Reserved tickets will be available in the Commons preceding the brunch.

What if I have to go to the bathroom during the Commencement ceremony?

When the ceremony is held outdoors, bathrooms will be accessible through the lower-level north door of Bartlett Hall and in Lane Library.

When indoors, bathrooms are available in the lobby of the Storzer Center.

Why does the Commencement ceremony have a theme and who decides it?

Having a theme offers focus to the Commencement Ceremony and depth for the forum held during brunch. Traditionally, there is a widespread call for theme nominations. This process can vary, however. In the past, the College has had themed years, where the theme is carried out throughout the course of the year. In addition, the theme can sometimes be built around a particular honorary degree recipient. Check out this year's theme.

Why does the College present Honorary Degrees and how are the recipients chosen?

Ripon college has been presenting honorary degrees since 1881 to recognize individuals’ extraordinary achievements that are consistent with the mission of the College. Issuing honorary degrees shows the College’s appreciation for the recipient and often brings speakers of renown to the Commencement ceremony.

When it comes to choosing those to receive Honorary Degrees, a call is first sent to the College community asking for nominations. Those suggestions are, then, turned over to the honorary degree committee which is a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees. Therefore, included in the selection committee are trustees, students, faculty members and alumni. Once the committee has refined the list of suggestions, potential recipients are selected and approved by the full Board.

Find out more about this year's honorary degree recipients.

What is the Medal of Merit?

The Medal of Merit is the most prestigious honor awarded by the College to one of its alumni. It is given to recognize a lifetime of service and philanthropy to the College. The recipient is chosen by the President of the College from a list of nominees determined by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. When choosing who will receive the Medal of Merit, a person’s professional achievement, character and service to the College are considered.

Learn about this year's Medal of Merit recipients.

Who selects the Educator of the Year?

First, the graduating seniors are asked to send in nominations of a K-12 teacher to receive the Educator of the Year award. Then, the senior class board and the student representative from the honorary degree committee review and rank nominations. Ultimately, the honorary degree committee reviews student comments and makes the final selection.

How is the senior class speaker selected?

The senior class speaker for Commencement is chosen by the Senior Class Board and a panel of faculty members. All graduating seniors are invited to submit outlines of the speech they would like to present. Depending on the number of applicants, this group may be narrowed by the Senior Class Board, and the selected candidates are invited to actually give their speeches to the committee. The speaker is chosen from this group.

Where should I park for the Commencement ceremony?

Parking is first-come, first-served and is available on the streets as well as in several lots on or adjacent to campus. College lots are available at the southeast corner of Seward Street and Woodside Avenue, at the southeast corner of Seward Street and Ransom Street behind Smith Hall, behind the Carnegie building, off Thorne Street east of Johnson Hall, off Union Street across from the Rodman Center for the Arts, between the Storzer Center and the Rodman Center and to the West of the Storzer Center. A public lot also is available off Ranson Street across from East Hall. Handicapped parking will be available in designated spots on the streets and near the Pickard Commons. Check the campus map for more details.

Are there any hotels in Ripon?

Of course there are hotels in Ripon. Check here for more information about lodging.

Will the bookstore be open during Commencement?

The bookstore will have special hours during Commencement weekend. It will not be open during the actual ceremony on Sunday, however. For a complete list of bookstore hours, check the Commencement schedule.

Will my family be able to get anything to eat on campus the day of the ceremony?

Yes. In addition to the senior brunch and forum (details above), The Pub — located in the lower level of Harwood Memorial Union — and "We Proudly Serve Starbucks" — located in the lower level of the Pickard Commons — will both be open from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Each offers hot and cold beverages, snacks, sandwiches or pastries and other refreshments. If you experience a craving or a rumble in your belly that won’t subside, head to one of these two establishments to receive Class A treatment from Sodexho.