May 19
|
10:00 am
–
12:00 pm
Graduates and Families,
We are excited to celebrate commencement with you this year! Please find below the guidelines and requirements for attendance for graduates and their guests.
Best wishes for a wonderful commencement experience!
Important reminder: Alcohol is not allowed at commencement.
When and where is commencement?
- Day and Date: Sunday, May 19, 2024
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Place: Lyndon Soccer Field, under the tent
Receptions
- Before the ceremony, Theatre Lobby, light breakfast social for everyone at 8:30 a.m.
- After the ceremony, Stannard Gym, coffee and dessert social for everyone.
When Do Graduates Have To Be There?
The Class of 2024 will be expected to line up at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2024, in the Rita Bole Gymnasium. Please wear your cap and gown, which is required if you are walking.
Who is Able to Attend the Ceremony?
You must be a matriculated, degree-seeking student and:
- Have a 2.0 cumulative GPA (which may be higher for some majors), and a minimum of:
- 36 credits for Master’s candidates
- 120 credits for Bachelor candidates
- 60 credits for Associate candidates
- Meet residency requirements
- Meet all degree requirements in your catalog
- Wear academic regalia in order to process at Commencement
- Behave in a manner appropriate to the dignity of the occasion
Please note: If your attendance plans have changed since you applied for a degree, please notify Registrar@VermontState.edu.
How Long Does the Commencement Ceremony Last?
Typically, the ceremony lasts for two hours (until noon).
Michael Pieciak, Vermont State Treasurer
Mike Pieciak was inaugurated as Vermont’s 31st State Treasurer in January 2023. During his term, Mike has focused on economic and financial equity.
Mike successfully championed the passage of “Vermont Saves” — a publicly administered retirement program for the over 80,000 Vermonters who currently lack access to a retirement plan through their employer.
Mike also expanded the “10% in Vermont” program and made the development of new housing a top priority. In September 2023, his office announced $55.5 million in low interest housing loans that are expected to leverage an estimated $340 million in additional capital to support the construction of over 1,100 housing units in Vermont.
Mike previously served six years as the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) where he was first appointed by Governor Peter Shumlin in 2016 and reappointed by Governor Phil Scott in 2017. During the pandemic Mike served on the COVID-19 pandemic response team, providing regular data and modeling updates at the Governor’s weekly press conferences.
Mike also served as deputy commissioner of DFR’s Securities Division where he led the division’s investigation into the Jay Peak EB-5 projects.
Prior to his public service, Mike practiced law in New York City and at Downs Rachlin Martin in Burlington in the Business Law Group. Mike previously served as a trustee for the Vermont State College System.
Mike grew up in Brattleboro and graduated cum laude from Union College with a degree in political science. He received his law degree summa cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law where he served as editor-in-chief of the Miami Law Review. Mike currently resides in Winooski with his partner Will and English Setter Jetty.
How Many Guests Are Allowed?
Although no tickets are required for VTSU Lyndon’s commencement ceremony, graduates are encouraged to invite no more than ten to twelve guests to the commencement. 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 Alexander Twilight Theatre, 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?
Travis Mullally of the VTSU Gear Store will be at Lyndon’s Commencement Fair on Tuesday, March 12, from 12 – 2 p.m. to take in-person orders and answer your questions. Orders placed at the Lyndon Commencement Fair will be sent in bulk to the Lyndon campus. Tracy Sherbrook will be in touch with students about when and where to pick up their order.
The VTSU Gear Store will also offer an online ordering option after April 1 for students who are unable to attend the Commencement Fair. Please note: Online orders will be “shipped to home” and will not be able to be picked up on campus. We will post the URL for the online ordering option to this webpage as soon as it’s available.
For help with a specific cap and gown ordering question (i.e., if you only need a tassel or hood), please contact Travis at the Gear Store at VTSU Castleton at travis.mullally@getugear.com or call 802.468.1229.
Where do Guests Park?
As most underclassmen won’t be on campus, there should be enough parking space for all the visitors. It’s recommended to carpool whenever possible. Public safety officials will be present before the ceremony to guide the guests to the available parking areas. Please use College Road or McGoff Hill Road for entry. Shuttle service and/or accommodations will be accessible for those who are unable to walk long distances.
Where do Graduates Park on Sunday, May 19?
In order to maximize parking for families, graduating students are requested to park in the Rita Bole Complex or Wheelock parking lots. Thank you!
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. You can find a list of motels, hotels and bed & breakfasts in the area at www.nekchamber.com. Some of the larger hotels you may want to consider are
Additionally, you may want to check out The Wildflower Inn, which offers breathtaking views, an in-house restaurant, and access to our world-famous Kingdom Trails.
All of these accommodations are situated approximately 15 to 20 minutes away from the campus.
Commencement Fair, March 12, 2024
The Commencement Fair is an event that our graduates can attend to obtain important information about all the resources needed for the big day. It will take place in the Theatre Lobby from noon to 2 p.m. The event will feature some exciting raffle prizes, pizza, and information about commencement for you and your family. The Campus Activities Board will also be present to provide a fun DIY project, and the UGear Store will be there with graduation swag.
Robing Ceremony, May 9, 2024
The Robing Ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in the Alexander Twilight Theatre. This event marks the official kick-off ceremony to commencement, where students don their robes, receive awards, and listen to a student speaker. The main speaker is a faculty member, chosen by the senior class. Following the ceremony, there will be a post-celebration reception with light refreshments. A professional photographer will also take a class photo.
Family members are welcome to attend this festive occasion, and no tickets are required. Additionally, the event will be livestreamed on our YouTube page, VTSU Performances, for any family members or friends who are unable to attend in person.
Senior Week Activities, TBD
The Senior Week Committee plans fun events that take place the week leading up to graduation. Events are currently being planned. For more information, or to donate to the Senior Week Fund, please contact Sara Lussier, Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at Sara.Lussier@VermontState.edu or at 802.626.6426.
Graduation Rehearsal, May 16, 2024
Rehearsal will be on Thursday, May 16, 3 p.m., starting in the Rita Bole Gymnasium. Rehearsal is the time to get important information about Commencement, to practice the processional, and to understand how you will receive your diploma by taking a practice walk across the platform. Please check to make sure you do not have any exams during this time.
What If I Was a December Graduate? Do I Have to Go to Rehearsal?
Rehearsal is strongly encouraged for all graduates, but not required for students who are not able to come to campus until the actual Commencement ceremony. If you do not attend rehearsal, please arrive at the Rita Bole Gym on Sunday promptly at 9 a.m.
Will the Ceremony be Recorded?
A professional video production crew will record the entire ceremony. Kingdom Access Television (KATV) will produce DVDs. Order forms for KATV will be available at the ceremony.
Contact Information:
Kingdom Access Television
802.751.8103
http://katv.org
515 Bay Street, Suite 202
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
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.
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
Graduating seniors are required to contact the residence hall staff and schedule a check-out from their room before the commencement on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Each residence hall will have its own check-out procedure and further information will be provided in May. Meal services in Stevens Dining Hall will end after dinner on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Additionally, all mailbox keys must be returned by May 17, 2024.
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 Tracy Sherbrook, Assistant to the Provost, at 802.626.6406. She will be happy to talk to you! You may also e-mail her at: Tracy.Sherbrook@VermontState.edu.
If you have questions about your eligibility to graduate, please contact the University Registrar’s Office at Registrar@VermontState.edu.
For questions about Senior Week activities, contact Sara Lussier, Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations, 802.626.6426, or at Sara.Lussier@VermontState.edu.
802.626.6406
Tracy.Sherbrook@VermontState.edu
Campus
Lyndon Campus
