Top Tips for Making the Most of Commencement

After years of FAFSA forms and finals, your student is about to graduate. Congrats! To help you enjoy this celebratory day to the fullest, here are our top tips for getting the most out of Commencement.

Make dining reservations now if you’re planning to celebrate in town.
There are plenty of places in De Pere, plus all of Green Bay and its environs.

Plan to spend the weekend on campus.
In addition to Sunday’s Commencement, there’s a popular Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday afternoon.

Take your photos before the ceremony, and in these prime spots.
While you can certainly take some photos of your grad after Commencement, they’re usually pulled in a number of different directions by their friends. So those who wait to take all of the photos afterward usually miss some shots they really wanted to get.

If you’re not sure of the best spot to take your photos, two great ones are next to the statues of St. Norbert and Abbot Pennings. The St. Norbert statue, behind F. K. Bemis International Center, is a picturesque spot in May, as it’s surrounded by crabapple trees that are often in full bloom. The college places a small platform next to the indoor Abbot Pennings statue to assist in getting the perfect Commencement photo.

Other popular Commencement photo locales are along the Fox River and by Main Hall, the SNC Arch and the Conversion sculpture. But in these spots, timing is important. Take photos in front of the west-facing Main Hall and SNC Arch in the morning, when it’s shady. In the afternoon, the setting sun hits these areas and can ruin your photos. Conversely, the Conversion statue is especially beautiful when silhouetted against the sky at sunset, and early-evening shots along the Fox River may afford brilliant reflections of the campus buildings in the water, along with your grad.

P.S. Make sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

On Commencement Day, arrive early.
Parking is always tight, so don’t wait until the Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center opens its doors to arrive. Also note the entire parking lot at Third and Marsh Streets, across from the sports center, is typically reserved for people with handicapped parking passes.

Additional seating is available elsewhere.  
Every graduate receives six tickets, and can request to be put on a waitlist for up to two more by emailing Peggy Shallue in Student Affairs. The tickets admit guests into the sports center, where the ceremony is held. FYI: Once you go in, you can’t exit and re-enter unless you obtain a special ticket from a door usher.

If your grad would like to share the day with more than six, the others can watch the graduation via livestream from the Mulva Library (Presentation Room) and Campus Center. The Campus Center is a great choice for people with small children, as there’s a little more room for kids to run around.

Every student will have their photo taken.
Photos will be snapped of each graduate being congratulated by President Laurie Joyner. Students and their families will receive a link to the digital photos by early June. You may then print the ones you’d like. You can also take photos of your own. Head to the left of the stage, where ushers will help position you for a good shot.

Remember, there’s a reception after the ceremony.
The complimentary reception will be held outside Michels Commons from 1:30-3:30 p.m. If the weather’s bad, it will be moved to Ruth’s Marketplace. The reception will consist of light snacks and a cash bar.