ASU spring graduation activities will reflect changes

Spring commencement at ASU this year will reflect several changes, including an earlier start time and a separate ceremony for graduate students. About 9,000 students are expected to receive their degrees in May.

The ceremony for bachelor’s degree candidates will be at 8:30 a.m., May 13, in Wells Fargo Arena, slightly earlier than in previous years. This may allow more students to attend the individual convocation ceremonies for their colleges.

Graduate students will receive their degrees in a separate commencement ceremony at 4 p.m., May 12, in Wells Fargo Arena. This will allow the ceremonial “hooding” of master’s degree candidates in addition to doctoral candidates.

Both ceremonies will be webcast live on the Internet.

“Each year the number of graduates grows,” said Melissa Werner, director of university ceremonies. “We don’t want to have to restrict the number of guests any one graduate can bring to commencement, so by splitting the event into two ceremonies we can continue to accommodate families.

“We’ll also be able to focus both events on students and their particular achievements," Werner said. "We can bring back the rite of investiture for master’s degree candidates, the ceremonial hooding of each student that was eliminated several years ago because of time constraints.”

Last year’s spring ceremony took place at night in Sun Devil Stadium, to accommodate the crowds who wanted to hear President Barack Obama speak. More than 68,000 people attended the event.

This year doors will open at 7:30 a.m., May 13, at Wells Fargo Arena, with graduates expected to be in their seats by 8:15 a.m. Free parking will be available throughout the campus, except for metered spaces and residence hall lots.

Convocations for individual colleges will be held throughout the ASU campuses May 12-15. A schedule is available at http://graduation.asu.edu/ceremonies/spring.