Vermont State Johnson Commencement 2024

Jane Lindholm, Vermont Public Radio Host and Executive Producer, But Why and Special Projects

Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.

Jane joined Vermont Public in 2007 to expand Vermont Edition from a weekly pilot into the flagship daily newsmagazine it is today. She has been recognized with regional and national accolades, including several Murrow, PRNDI and GRACIE awards. In 2016 she started the nationally recognized But Why, which takes questions from kids all over the world and finds interesting people to answer them.

Before returning to her native Vermont, Jane served as director/producer for the national business program Marketplace, based in Los Angeles. Jane began her journalism career in 2001, when she joined National Public Radio (NPR) as an Editorial/Production Assistant for Radio Expeditions, a co-production of NPR and the National Geographic Society. During her time at NPR, she also worked with NPR’s Talk of the Nation and Weekend Edition Saturday.

Jane graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in Anthropology and has worked as writer and editor for Let’s Go Travel Guides. She has had her photojournalism picked up by the BBC World Service and her reporting has aired on NPR, APM and the CBC. Her hobbies include photography, running, beekeeping and wandering the woods and fields of New England. She lives in Addison County with her family.

How Many Guests Are Allowed?

Tickets are not required, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is There Special Seating Available?

Yes, some students have guests who require special assistance during the ceremony. To accommodate them, we remove chairs and make space for wheelchairs under the tent. Additionally, we offer a live broadcast of the ceremony in our Dibden Theater, which is a climate-controlled space with easy access to restrooms. This option has proven useful for some guests who find it too cold, too hot, or too crowded under the tent.

Where Can Cap and Gown Orders be Placed?

To participate in May Commencement, you must wear a cap and gown. Ordering details can be found here.

Please be prepared to pay for the cap and gown at the time you order. Orders need to be placed no later than April 14, 2024 to ensure receipt of regalia before the event. No three-dimensional objects will be allowed on tops of caps. It is expected that all graduates will dress appropriately for the occasion.

Cap and Gown Pickup

Caps and gowns will be shipped directly to students.

Where do Guests Park?

Most underclassmen won’t be on campus, so there will be enough parking available for all visitors. If you can, please carpool to help ease traffic. The gates will open at 2 p.m., and parking and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Handicapped parking and seating will be available as well. It’s recommended that you arrive before 3:30 p.m. There will be a complimentary coffee bar available throughout the afternoon for guests. Public Safety officials will be on campus before the ceremony to direct guests to available parking areas. Please enter from College Road and follow the directions of the officials. Shuttle service will also be available for those who are unable to walk long distances.

Are Pets Allowed?

Please leave your pet at home. Do not leave your pet in your vehicle. The only animals allowed at the commencement ceremony are service animals.

Where Should Guests Make Hotel Reservations?

If you are expecting guests from out of town who will need a place to stay, we recommend that you make hotel reservations as soon as possible. Some of the larger hotels you may want to consider are:

• Governor’s House in Hyde Park
• Serene Country Cabins
• Muddy Moose Log Cabin Lodging
• Sunset Motor Inn
• Smugglers’ Notch Inn
• Smugglers’ Notch Resort
• Sterling Ridge Resort
• Trapp Family Lodge

Numerous options available HERE or call the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce at 877.863.3489.

Honors Convocation

The Dibden Center for the Arts will host an awards ceremony to recognize the academic accomplishments and outstanding performance of more than 200 students across various departments and programs. Scholarships and endowments, totaling over $112,000, will be presented to students who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in their respective departments, programs, or in general. The entire Johnson campus community, as well as students’ families, are cordially invited to attend this special event and show their support for our students.

Senior Week Activities

The senior week committee plans fun events that take place the week leading up to graduation. Events are currently being planned!

Will There Be a Photographer?

During the graduation ceremony, a professional photographer from Graduation Images will take a photo of each graduate receiving their diploma folder. A week after the ceremony, Graduation Images will mail a passport-sized, full-color proof of the photo to the graduate’s home address. There is no obligation to purchase the photo. However, if you wish to order prints of the photo, Graduation Images offers a variety of enlargement packages. For more information, please contact Graduation Images at www.gradimages.com or 800.424.3686. 

Are Guests Allowed to Take Photos?

Guests are welcome to take photographs during the ceremony, but they are kindly requested to avoid blocking the aisles or obstructing the view of other guests. We urge all guests to show respect towards the graduates and other attendees. Please remember that there will be ample opportunities to take photographs at the reception after the ceremony.

When Will Diplomas Arrive?

During the commencement ceremony, graduates will receive a diploma jacket with a congratulatory letter from the President. Diplomas are ordered during the summer after the final degree audits are completed. Diplomas will be mailed to graduates in mid-July to the address provided on the graduation application. 

Please note that if you have an address change for mailing your diploma, kindly send an email to the Registrar’s Office at Registrar@VermontState.edu. This will ensure your diploma’s secure and timely delivery to the desired address. 

How To Get Transcripts

For May graduates, transcripts will be available once final degree audits are completed by mid-June.  To order a transcript, please visit Vermont State University Transcript Request.

It is important to note that you must have fulfilled all your financial obligations to the University to successfully place a transcript request.

Is There Anything That Might Effect Eligibility to Graduate?

The most common reasons why students end up being disappointed at the last minute are:

• Final cumulative average falls below 2.0
• Failure to complete degree requirements
• Transcripts not received from other colleges attended
• Incomplete grades not submitted
• Not passing the required graduation standards

What if VTSU is Still Owed Money?

By Saturday, May 18, 2024, please make sure that all of your outstanding accounts at VTSU are paid or resolved. Diplomas and transcripts will be delayed if you have any outstanding account balances.

How to Handle Student Loans

If you have received a Federal Student Loan, which includes a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and/or Perkins Loan, it is mandatory to complete exit counseling if you are graduating or dropping below half-time enrollment. This requirement is applicable for the Federal Direct Loan program and can be completed online.

• Visit https://studentloans.gov
• Log in using your FSA ID
• Select “Complete Loan Counseling”
• Choose “Exit Counseling” from the selections
• Click “Start”

The session will take about 20-30 minutes to complete. If you have questions regarding your Federal Direct Loans, please contact Student Financial Services at 802.468.6070.

For Students Who Live on Campus

Regular meal service in the dining hall will end with dinner on Friday May, 17, 2024.

Residence halls close on May 17, 2024. Graduating seniors can arrange with Residence Life staff to stay until Saturday, check out before Commencement, and enjoy their commencement afterwards.

Alumni Association

Once you graduate, you become an official member of the Alumni Association. As a member, you can enjoy several benefits such as access to the alumni online community, group discounts on home and auto insurance, continued use of the library, free admission to athletic events, ongoing support from Career Services, and invitations to regional alumni socials. Stay connected with your alma mater by joining the Alumni Association!

Graduate Survey

As a recent graduate of VTSU Lyndon, you should receive a postcard from Career Services by late fall 2024. The postcard will contain a link to a quick Graduate Survey. The survey aims to gather information about your current job search and if there is anything we can do to assist you. If you have updated your contact details since your graduation, please feel free to let us know by emailing us at Careers@VermontState.edu.

For general Commencement information, contact:

• Tammy Carter, Coordinator, Office of Graduate Studies 802.635.1227or Tammy.Carter@VermontState.edu
• Barb Flathers, Manager of President’s Office Operations
  802.635.1240 or Barbara.Flathers@VermontState.edu

If you have questions about your eligibility to graduate, please contact the University Registrar’s Office at Registrar@VermontState.edu.