USI to hold spring 2019 Commencement ceremonies inside new Screaming Eagles Arena

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WHO: University of Southern Indiana President Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, graduating members of the Class of 2019, honorary degree recipients Dr. Linda L. M. and Dr. Stephen E. Bennett and Betty J. Worthington, Commencement speakers and guests

WHAT: USI Spring 2019 Commencement Ceremonies (first held in new Screaming Eagles Arena)

CEREMONY SCHEDULE:

All doors will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Tickets are not required for attendance.

WHERE: All ceremonies will be held in the Screaming Eagles Arena. Graduates will report and line up in the Physical Activities Center (PAC). A map of campus that includes the Arena and the PAC can be found at USI.edu/map.

MEDIA CREDENTIALING: For all events held in the Screaming Eagles Arena, all members of the media are required to sign in and pick up a media access badge before entering the arena or PAC. Members of the media should access the arena and pick up credentials at the set of double doors located to the left of the main entrance and will call booth on the north end of the building (a tent currently marks this entrance). You do not need to wait in the general admission line to enter the building. Someone will meet you at this entrance, sign you in and issue your arena access badge. You must check in and get credentialed before accessing the PAC to speak with graduates.

MEDIA PLATFORM: There is a designated media area in the arena. All members of the media with video and still cameras on tripods should set up on the media platform located on the second level of the arena in Section 102. The media platform is located to the right of the entrance tunnel to Section 102. Elevators accessing the second floor are available if needed. If you would like access to any other areas of the arena, please coordinate with a member of the University Communications team. It is important not block entry/egress for guests, processionals, event staff and others in the arena. All media must have arena credentials.

STUDENT AVAILABILITY: Students will be available for interview inside of the PAC while staging for the Commencement procession. Due to the nature of the procession, students will not be allowed to leave their place in line following final name checks, and only designated University staff will be allowed to follow the procession to the Arena. Credentialed media members who wish to speak with students may do so as long as they do not disrupt the staging process. Processions will begin 20 minutes prior to the start of each ceremony.

RECEPTION: Students will meet their families at a reception sponsored by the USI Alumni Association following each ceremony in University Center East. Media members are encouraged to attend receptions for interviews with graduates and footage of families.

BY THE NUMBERS:

  • A total of 1,253 graduates will participate in commencement exercises, out of a total of 1,669 eligible to participates. A total of 1,718 credentials will be awarded, including doctoral, master’s, baccalaureate and associate degrees as well as postmasters certificates.
  • 299 students will graduate with academic honors. 24 will graduate summa cum laude (4.0 grade point average), 131 magna cum laude(3.8 – 3.999 GPA), and 144 cum laude (3.6 – 3.799 GPA). 39 students will be graduating as University Honors Scholars after successfully completing the University Honors Program.
  • All graduates will become members of the USI Alumni Association, which will grow to more than 43,000 members upon the addition of the Class of 2019.

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS:

  • Graduate Studies Ceremony – Dr. Donna M. White D’16, associate professor of nursing at HannibalLaGrange University
  • College of Liberal Arts – Amy L. Beard ’09, general council for the Indiana Department of Insurance
  • Romain College of Business – The Honorable Wayne S. Trockman ’91, Vanderburgh Superior Court judge
  • College of Nursing and Health Professions – Dr. Stanley J. Tretter M’17, vice president of Medical Affairs and chief medical officer for Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper
  • Pott College – B. J. Watts ’01, chair of the Indiana State Board of Education

 

HONORARY DEGREES: At the Graduate Studies Ceremony, Doctor of Laws degrees will be presented to Dr. Linda L. M. Bennett, USI president emerita and active civic leader who retired in 2018 after nine years as president and six years as provost; to Dr. Stephen E. Bennett, retired professor of political science and author, for his dedication to higher education and 15 years of service to USI; and to Betty J. Worthington for her years of service to the USI/New Harmony Foundation Board and support of the arts, New Harmony and the University.

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