2008 NKU COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

FOR NKU GRADUATES & GUESTS

Commencement will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2008. No tickets are required for Commencement.

DEGREE CANDIDATES ASSEMBLY AND CEREMONY

Line up for the commencement processional will take place at the University Center on NKU’s campus. The processional from UC to The Bank of Kentucky Center will depart at 9:15 a.m. Graduates are asked to arrive at the graduate
assembly area in the University Center’s Main Cafeteria and Lobby at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10.

In the event of inclement weather, the graduate assembly area will be moved to The Bank of Kentucky Center. Please check http://commencement.nku.edu for updates as they become available.

   At the designated tables in the graduate assembly area, each graduate should obtain a name card that indicates where to be seated according to college and degree. 

   After taking your position in the line of march, remain in place and keep your name card. The processional will depart at 9:15 a.m.

   The name card obtained at assembly will be handed in upon reaching the stage during the conferring of degrees. Student marshals, dressed in gold gowns, will direct graduates at appropriate times during the ceremony.

   Graduates must return to and remain in their seats once they have received their diploma cases. The entire ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours so please share this information with your guests and plan accordingly.

   Personal property should not be left in the assembly areas. You are encouraged to leave personal belongings in your car or with your guests at The Bank of Kentucky Center. Neither Northern Kentucky University nor The Bank of Kentucky Center can be responsible for lost or stolen articles.

ACADEMIC APPAREL

   Each graduate should purchase academic apparel at the NKU Bookstore. This purchase can be made in person, by mail or by telephone.

   Each degree candidate must have a cap, gown and tassel. Undergraduate students graduating with University Honors will receive an Honors cord to wear with the apparel. Master candidates do not receive Honors cords. Honors cords can be picked up at the dean’s office of your respective college until May 9, or at commencement on May 10. If you are a member of an honorary society, check with your dean’s office to determine the availability of additional cords to be worn at Commencement.

Master candidates:
  Each Master degree candidate must purchase the appropriate hood for the degree. When you arrive at the arena, you are asked to keep your hood with you. At the appropriate time in the ceremony you will process to the stage with your hood. You will be hooded on stage by your college representatives when degrees are conferred. If you forget to bring your hood, you will be required to purchase another on the day of the ceremony from the Bookstore.

Approximate costs for academic apparel are as follows:

Associate's and Bachelor's: $27.65 + tax

Master’s: $55.00 + tax

PARKING

   Parking is available free of charge in all surface lots and garages on campus. Shuttle service from parking facilities to The Bank of Kentucky Center will be available beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continue until the conclusion of the campus reception after the commencement ceremony. Look for shuttle stop signage when you arrive on campus on May 10.

CAMPUS RECEPTION

   A campus reception will take place under tents around Loch Norse following the commencement ceremony. College banners inside the tents will indicate areas for graduates and their guests to congregate with professors and friends. Light refreshments, including birthday cake in honor of NKU’s 40th birthday, will be served.

GUESTS

   Guests should enter The Bank of Kentucky Center through the event level doors located at the end of the pedestrian bridge. Gates will open at 8:00 a.m. on May 10. Tickets are not required for the ceremony. Seating is available on a first-come first-served basis. Graduates will process from the University Center on campus to the arena.

   Disabled parking is available on the top deck of the new parking garage located across the street from the arena. Accessible seating is available in the last row of certain sections on the Concourse level for disabled guests. Accommodations for disabled graduates will be made in the Graduate Assembly area or may be made by contacting (859) 572-5810.

GRADUATION GIFTS AVAILABLE AT COMMENCEMENT

   The NKU Bookstore will be open at its on campus site in the University Center from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on May 10. Take advantage of a 10% commencement day discount on all diploma frames. For your convenience, diploma frames will be available at The Bank of Kentucky Center also. Look for the NKU Bookstore booth on the Concourse level.

GRAD FINALE

   NKU Grad Finale ‘08 will be held on March 25 and 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days in the old bookstore location on the lower level of the University Center. Grad Finale attendees can purchase caps and gowns, and shopping early ensures the best selection of sizes. Ordering graduation announcements and class rings at Grad Finale ensures delivery before May 10. Qualifying bachelor and associate degree graduates can pick up honor cords to be worn at graduation. Local hotel representatives will be present with information on accommodations for out of town friends and family. You can even have your graduation photo taken right in the bookstore!

   Don’t worry if you are unable to attend Grad Finale. Caps and gowns will be available through May 10 at the NKU Bookstore. While generic announcements will be available in the bookstore, personalized announcements should be ordered online through the Jostens website, www.jostens.com, after March 26.

GRADUATION GIVING

   As you begin to think about caps and gowns and resumés, take a moment to reflect upon your time at NKU. Graduation is not the end of your journey, but rather the beginning of a lifelong partnership with your alma mater. Please support the NKU Annual Fund and celebrate your graduation in one of the following ways:

Gift of $10 - Graduation Gift
• Say “Thank You” to NKU
• Receive a special pin at commencement
• Name recognition as a donor in a special section of the
commencement program book*

Gift of $25 - Special Message
All of the above benefits plus
• Say “Thank You” to a family member, professor or a friend
• Your special message will be placed next to your name in the
special donor section of the commencement program book*
• Mail notification can be sent to the person you honored

Gift of $75 - Brick Paver
All of the above benefits plus
• A Brick paver installed in front of the W. Frank Steely Library
allows your special message to be remembered for a lifetime

* While all graduates names will be included in the printed program, to be listed as a donor messages and payment must be received by April 16.

For more information, call (859) 572-6503 or email oberkleinm@nku.edu

OUT OF TOWN GUEST ACCOMODATIONS

EMBASSY SUITES CINCINNATI RIVERCENTER HOTEL:
NKU graduates and guests can enjoy discounted rates at the newly renovated Embassy Suites Cincinnati RiverCenter Hotel. For $149 per night, each guest receives a full cooked-to-order breakfast and free evening cocktail reception. To take advantage of this great deal, contact Embassy Suites Cincinnati RiverCenter at (859) 261-8400 or 1-800-EMBASSY by April 25 and request the NKU Graduation rate. Call early since rates are subject to availability.

RADISSON CINCINNATI RIVERFRONT HOTEL:
The Radisson Cincinnati Riverfront is an elegant riverfront hotel, which boasts over 10,000 square feet of hospitality space and 236 sleeping rooms to accommodate your guests for graduation. To take advantage of special $99 room rates and hospitality packages contact (859) 491-1200 or 1-800-333-3333 and ask for the Northern Kentucky University rate. Easy online reservations can be made by visiting www.radisson.com/covingtonky. Enter NKU in the promotional code box.

HOLIDAY INN CINCINNATI AIRPORT:
Located minutes away from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, the award winning Holiday Inn Cincinnati Airport offers an upscale design in a premier location. The Holiday Inn Airport awaits you with a combination of luxurious accommodations featuring: complimentary airport transportation, wireless high-speed internet, fitness center with indoor lap pool and an Express Breakfast Buffet. Call (859) 371-2233 to receive the special NKU rate of $94 per night.

Since this is the first event in The Bank of Kentucky Center, details regarding parking, the graduate assembly areas and the ceremony itself are subject to change. Please check http://commencement.nku.edu for updated information as it becomes available.