As a graduating law student, you are invited and encouraged to attend two graduation-related ceremonies. The first is the Graduate's Celebration and Awards Ceremony, and the second is the Commencement Ceremony. Both will take place on Sunday, May 20, 2012. Below please find all the information pertaining to your Law School graduation.
Ceremony Attendance and Cap and Gown Orders:
To confirm graduation ceremony attendance and order caps and gowns, please visit the My Hofstra portal. Click the Hofstra Online tab and select Personal Menu to find this feature. Click Attend Ceremony and Order of Academic Attire. Simply follow the easy online instructions, carefully check the order, and click submit. An order confirmation and graduation information will display. Orders for academic attire must be received by April 20, 2012.
Graduates' Awards Ceremony:
The Class of 2012 Graduates Celebration and Awards Ceremony will take place promptly at 4 p.m. in the John Cranford Adams Playhouse (located next to the Law School). The program begins with speeches by 3L student, Lisha Yakub, and teacher of the year, James Sample, both elected by the graduating class. The ceremony continues with the presentation of various awards that recognize student accomplishments throughout law school. The students receiving awards will be notified via email on Friday, May 18. This program will last approximately one hour and a light dinner will be served at the Law School immediately following the celebration to which your family and friends are welcome. Tickets are not necessary for this event. Please note that students do not wear academic attire to this ceremony.
Commencement Ceremony:
The Commencement Ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex (the Arena located on the North side of campus). This ceremony will last approximately two hours. The Honorable Jonathan Lippman, Chief Judge State of New York Court of Appeals, will give the opening remarks. At the Commencement ceremony, the President of the University will confer your degree upon you, you will walk across the stage to be announced by name, hooded and congratulated by the Dean. Tickets are not necessary for this event.
To Pick Up Your Cap and Gown:
You may pick up your academic attire in the Student Center Plaza Rooms between the hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16 and Thursday, May 17 and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 20. You may also pick up an hour before your ceremony on May 20th in the Physical Education Complex. Please present a valid Hofstra ID when picking up your academic attire. There is no fee for the cap and gown and will be yours to keep after the ceremony.
Robing and Assembly:
Instructions regarding robing and assembly will be given to you when you pick up your academic attire. On the day of Commencement, you should line up in the Physical Education Complex at 6 p.m. The Physical Education Complex is located next to the Arena. Your family and friends are free to enter the Arena and sit as they wait for the ceremony to begin. As you enter the Physical Education Complex, please stop by the table near the entrance to pick up an index card. This card will have your name on it, as it is to be read when you walk across the stage. Please read your name carefully and make any necessary changes and add a phonetic spelling of your name if needed. Once the processional lines are formed, you will walk into the Arena, and the ceremony will begin.
If you have any questions please feel free to stop by the Student Affairs office, room 203, e-mail us at lawstudentaffairs@hofstra.edu, or call us at 516-463-5771.
