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Congratulations to the Class of 2008!
Graduation is Saturday, May 10, at 10:00 am at
the VCU Siegel
Center.
The speaker is Virginia Secretary of Public Safety John Marshall
Tickets are not
required for admission.
A letter from President Gary L. Rhodes, Ed.D.
Dear Graduate:
On May 10, 2008, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College will hold its 35th Commencement at the VCU Siegel Center, located at 1200 West Broad Street. This is a very special event that marks the culmination of your hard work and a significant achievement. We invite the entire community to join us in this celebration.
As president of the college, I join the College Board, faculty, and staff, in personally congratulating you on reaching this milestone in your life. In addition, I encourage you to participate in this year’s commencement where your accomplishment can be witnessed by your family and friends.
I look forward to seeing you on May 10, where you will receive my personal congratulations.
Sincerely,
Gary L. Rhodes, President
What you need to know about Graduation:
Dear Graduation Candidate:
The college’s annual commencement ceremony will be held at the VCU Siegel Center/ALLTEL Pavilion on Saturday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m.
The college is busily making arrangements. With your assistance, we will make this a memorable day for you and your guests. The following information will assist you in making your preparations.
Graduation Attire
All of the graduates who participate in the formal commencement ceremony will wear the traditional graduation attire (cap and gown, etc.). We ask that you please refrain from making inappropriate alterations to these. If you do not have your cap and gown, you will not be able to march on stage for graduation.
You may purchase your cap and gown at the Parham Road or Downtown Campus bookstore. The bookstores will be selling these items from April 21 – May 9. The bookstore hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Enclosed is information pertaining to graduation regalia and memorabilia. >> read more
What to Bring and Not Bring
1. Remember to bring your graduation attire! Ladies, please bring hair pins for your cap. You will need to navigate stairs. Please consider this when choosing your footwear for the day.
2. Leave all personal belongings (including purses) with your guests, as you will not be allowed to carry anything into the arena. We regret that the college cannot take responsibility for any lost or stolen items.
3. VCU has informed us that you and your guests will not be allowed to bring balloons, packages, or gifts into the Siegel Center. VCU’s Police and Security will be at the entrances to help ensure everyone’s safety.
What to Expect on Commencement Day
Please plan to arrive at the Siegel Center/ALLTEL Pavilion by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. All guests will be directed into the Alltel Arena to be seated. You will be directed to Room R144 with the other students. Family and friends will not be permitted to join you in Room R144.
A table will be set up in the Activity Center (Room R144) on the Lower Level of the Siegel Center for you to obtain a card that shows your name and your marching number for the procession. This is also the card you will present on stage in order for your name to be announced.
Faculty Marshals will organize the graduates within your curriculum for the commencement march and will lead you from Room R144 into the Alltel Arena for the ceremony at 10:00 a.m. At the end of the ceremony, the Marshals and graduates will march out of the Alltel Arena and return to the lower level. Spring 2008 graduates will proceed to Room R144 on the lower level to receive their diplomas. Summer and Fall 2007 graduates who have already received their awards will be permitted to leave at this point. Graduates will leave the building through the Marshall Street exit. Prior to the ceremony be sure to arrange a meeting place with your family and friends.
Guests
You may invite guests to attend the ceremony. There is no limitation on the number of guests you may bring and no tickets will be required. Guests may arrive as early as 9:00 a.m. as well. Please share all information in this letter with your guests! Remember to arrange a place to meet family and friends after the ceremony.
Parking and Directions
The VCU Siegel Center is located at 1200 West Broad Street. Parking is available in VCU’s parking decks located across the street on the corner of Harrison and Broad Streets and the corner of Bowe and Marshall Streets. You and your guests should allow plenty of time for travel.
Photographs
JSRCC has made arrangements to photograph you as you receive your diploma on stage. You are not obligated to purchase photos. Approximately two weeks after graduation, the photographer will have a link on the Reynolds.edu website with information on purchasing photos.
Special Accommodations For Graduates
If you have any other questions concerning the ceremony, or if you are requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability, please contact the Central Admissions and Records Office at 523-5029 by May 2. The office may be unable to accommodate requests received after this date.
We hope this has been a smooth process for you. We are always looking for ways to improve our processes. Please take a few minutes and share your opinions of the graduation process with us. A very short web survey has been developed and is located at the following website: https://survey.vccs.edu/ss/wsb.dll/pcarroll/Graduation2008.htm . Please complete the survey by May 2, 2008. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey.
In closing, I would like to personally congratulate you for successfully reaching this milestone. The Admissions and Records staff and I have enjoyed working with you, and we look forward to seeing you on May 10.
Sincerely,
Karen Pettis-Walden
Director of Admissions and Records
Caps and gowns are available at the book
store on the Parham Road and
Downtown campuses.
Pricing Information for Students
Cap/Gown/Tassel $30.98
Hood Only $24.98
Gown Only $26.98
Cap Only $7.98
Tassel Only $5.98
Pricing Information for Faculty Rental Gowns (this information is for faculty only)
Associate: $33.96
Bachelor: $35.96
Master: $40.96
Doctorate: $45.96
For regalia ordered after April 1st, there is a $25 late fee for faculty.
Bookstore information
J. Sargeant Reynolds Bookstore-Parham
Phone: 804-371-3266
J. Sargeant Reynolds Bookstore-Downtown
Phone:
804-786-8580
Directions to Siegel Center:
Arriving from the East by Interstate 64 West - coming from Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, etc.
1. Take Exit #190 for Fifth Street and Downtown/Coliseum.
2. Turn right at the eighth traffic light, onto Main Street.
3. Follow Main Street for 11 blocks to Belvidere Street (turn right).
4. Go three blocks to Broad Street (turn left).
5. Drive three blocks to Shafer Street (turn left); the entrance to the VCU West Broad Parking Deck is on the right.
Arriving from the North by Interstate 95 South -
coming from Washington, Fredericksburg, Kings Dominion, etc.
1. Take Exit #79 to right towards Powhite Parkway (Route I-195). Bear left off the ramp onto I-195.
2. Take the exit for Hamilton and Broad Streets.
3. Follow Hamilton Street to Monument Avenue (second left) and turn left.
4. Follow Monument Avenue east; its name will change to Franklin Street.
5. Follow Franklin Street to Harrison Street (turn left); drive one and one-half blocks on Harrison Street. The entrance to the VCU West Broad Parking Deck is on the right.
Arriving from the South by Interstate 95 North - coming from Petersburg, North Carolina, etc.
1. Take Exit #74A onto Downtown Expressway, I-195 (The exit ramp is actually on the James River Bridge).
2. Drive 1/2 mile, take exit for Belvidere Street (U.S. #1 & # 301).
3. Drive two blocks along Canal Street to Belvidere Street.
4. Turn right on Belvidere Street.
5. Go three blocks to Broad Street (turn left).
6. Drive three blocks to Shafer Street (turn left); the entrance to the VCU West Broad Parking Deck is on the right.
Arriving from the West by Interstate 64 East - coming from Charlottesville, etc.
1. Take Exit #186 towards the Powhite Parkway.
2. Take the exit for Hamilton and Broad streets.
3. Follow Hamilton Street to Monument Avenue (second left) and turn left.
4. Follow Monument Avenue east; its name will change to Franklin Street.
5. Follow Franklin Street to Harrison Street (turn left); drive one and one-half blocks on Harrison Street. The entrance to the VCU West Broad Parking Deck is on the right.
J. Sargeant Reynolds Graduation Ceremony Etiquette
At J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, we stress a positive learning environment by displaying proper respect and courtesy. The Graduation Ceremony is a time to celebrate accomplishments. Please follow the guidelines listed below so that everyone can enjoy this special event.
- Guests should be seated by 9:45 a.m. During the processional (from 10:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.), there will be no entrance into the ceremony.
- Guests are not permitted in the staging area where the Graduates are preparing for the ceremony to begin.
- Please remember that Graduation is both a joyful as well as a formal event. We ask that you express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speakers and enjoying the ceremony .
- Food and drinks should be consumed outside of the seating area.
- The use of cellular phones is disruptive to both participants and guests. Please refrain from using all phones and pagers during the procession and ceremony.
- A professional photographer takes each graduate’s photograph as they shake hands with the college administrators. Guests are not allowed on the bottom floor of the center.
- It is important that we leave the Siegel Center as we found it (clean and orderly) so the facility will be ready for use by others after we leave.
“Thank you” from the 2008 Graduates!!
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