Commencement 2012
Please check this website regularly for the most current information about Commencement.

Graduates must complete the Commencement Information Form by April 9.

RECEPTIONS

Commencement activities will begin on Friday, May 11, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with receptions in Lewis Katz Hall in Carlisle and Lewis Katz Building in University Park for graduates, their families and guests. The suggested attire is business casual and the fare is hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. This will be a great opportunity to introduce your family to members of the faculty and staff, as well as your classmates.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 12 at 10:30 a.m. in the Eisenhower Auditorium in University Park and the grounds of the law school in Carlisle. The two locations will be inter-connected by high definition audiovisual telecommunications to enable audiences at each campus to see and hear the entire event in “real time.” The ceremony will last about 90 minutes and will be followed by receptions in Katz Hall and the Katz Building.

Graduates: J.D. and LL.M. candidates must arrive by 9:30 a.m. Ushers in each location will direct you where to go for robing and forming the processional. DO NOT BRING GUESTS TO THE ASSEMBLY AREA. Remember to bring your cap, gown, and hood. No cords other than those representing a joint degree are permitted. Ornamentation representing student organizations or honorary societies is not approved attire for Penn State academic ceremonies.

Several members of the law school staff will be on hand to assist with robing and hooding. The assembly area will be left unattended during the ceremony, so any personal items should be given to your family members or left in the assembly area at your own risk.

Guests: Seating will open at 9:30 a.m. All seating is unreserved other than designated seating for guests with disabilities. We advise guests to arrive by 10:00 a.m. to allow for parking and to be seating prior to the processional.

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

In University Park, the Eisenhower Parking Deck is immediately adjacent to Eisenhower Auditorium and accessible from Shortlidge Road. There is no charge for parking. Alternatively, you may park at the Katz Building and take shuttle buses to and from the Eisenhower Auditorium before and following our ceremony.

In Carlisle, parking is available in the Allison Church lot next to the law school on Mooreland Avenue. Alternatively, street parking is available in many areas surrounding the law school. Please note that South Street will be closed to traffic between Mooreland Avenue and College Street on the day of the ceremony.

PHOTOGRAPHY

A professional photographer will take a photo of each graduate as the diploma is presented. Family members taking photos or videos during the ceremony will be limited to areas behind the student seating. No one will be permitted in the aisles during the processional and recessional.

GOWNS, TAMS, AND HOODS

Regalia distribution will begin on Monday, April 30, in the Office for Student Services (Room 105 UP, Room 022 Carlisle). Please pick up your regalia early and try everything on to be sure it fits. Students who are not on campus this semester (e.g., studying in Washington, D.C) should contact Susan Butterworth [scb12@dsl.psu.edu, (814) 863-1743] or Holly Parrish [hap15@dsl.psu.edu, (717) 240-5247] to make arrangements for pick up.

For your convenience, rental robes will be collected in Courtroom 110 of the Katz Building and Room 104 in Carlisle during the reception. Only the gown must be returned; you keep the cap and hood.

J.D. DIPLOMAS

Your J.D. diploma will be mailed to the permanent address you have on eLion. Please be sure to verify (and update if necessary) your permanent address on eLion, by June 30. Your diploma will be mailed in July.

DUAL DEGREE CANDIDATES

If you are receiving a dual degree (completing all of the degree requirements in another discipline during the same semester as your law degree) and would like to purchase a cord indicating the joint degree, please call the Bookstore directly [Mary O’Donnell at (814)-863-2512] to order. The additional cost is $15. We have given a list to the Bookstore indicating which students are eligible for the dual degree cord. If your name is not on that list and you believe you are eligible to wear the cord, please contact the law school Registrar for confirmation.

DIPLOMA FRAMES, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND CLASS RINGS

You may order diploma frames, Commencement announcements, and class rings online from Jostens (School name: Dickinson School of Law). Jostens has organized a number of “Ring Day” events in University Park for students who wish to order rings in person (see “upcoming events” on the Jostens website link above). A Jostens representative will be in Carlisle on Monday, March 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for students to place orders for announcements or rings. Please contact Greg Albert from Jostens at (814) 861-5092 or via e-mail at alberg1@jostens.com if you have any questions.

ALUMNI FAMILY MEMBERS

It has been a tradition at Commencement to permit Law School alumni to be on stage when the Dean presents the diploma to graduates in their immediate families. If you have a parent, grandparent, sibling, or spouse who is an alumnus or alumna of the Law School and who you would like to have on stage with you when you receive your diploma, please provide the requested information on the Commencement Information Form. We will then provide the alumni with appropriate instructions on participating. 

HOTEL INFORMATION

If you are looking for lodging information for commencement weekend, we have arranged with the following area hotels to block off rooms at a special rate.  In order to secure the Law School’s rate, you are encouraged to book your rooms well in advance.

State College

Carlisle

Hampton Inn State College 1101 East College Avenue State College, PA  (814) 231-1590 $104.00/night + tax Group Code — DLC Accepting reservations until 4/13/12 Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel 215 Innovation Boulevard State College, PA  (800) 233-7505 $119.00/night + tax Group Code — DICE12A Accepting reservations until 4/11/12 Ramada Inn 1450 South Atherton Street State College, PA (814) 238-3001 $80.00/night + tax Group Code — LAW Accepting reservations until 4/11/12 Hilton Garden Inn 1221 East College Avenue State College, PA (814) 272-1221 $99.00/night + tax Group Code — DLG Accepting reservations until 4/13/12

Comfort Suites 10 Hanover Street Carlisle, PA (717) 960-1000 $159.00/night + tax PSU Dickinson School of Law Commencement block Accepting reservations until 4/12/12 Days Inn Carlisle 101 Alexander Spring Road I-81 Exit 45 Carlisle, PA (717) 258-4147 $68.00/night + tax Dickinson Graduation Weekend block Accepting reservations until 4/12/12 Hilton Harrisburg One North Second Street Harrisburg, PA (717) 233-6000 $109.00/night + tax Penn State Dickinson School of Law Accepting reservations until 4/12/12