comm.-jncement 2011
Commencement Seating
Stage
Faculty
Graduates
Graduates
General
t
Seating I
General
Seating
General
Seating
Genera]
Seating
Family
Pliotograpliy
Area
Faculty
General
Seating
General
Seating
Elon Television/
DVD sales
tnformation Table/
Alumni Association
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Photo
Information
The site for Eton’s 121st Commencement
Exercises is Under the Oaks. Initially, this area
was the front lawn for the women’s dormitories on
campus. In keeping with customary residence hall
codes, it became a popular meeting place. Co
eds walked the graunds during calling hours under
the careful watch of their housemothers until the
“evening bell.”
Elon’s first outdoor commencement occurred
at this spot in 1923 after a fire destroyed much of
the campus including the main building where the
the auditorium, library and most classrooms were
located. By the next spring, Whitley Auditorium
was completed and became the commencement
location for many years. In the 1960’s, the
ceremony moved to Alumni Gym to accommodate
an increased number of graduates and guests. In
1987, commencement returned to the lawn Under
the Oaks and has remained since.
Under the Oaks is currently home to nine
different species of oak. The oldest oak has been
standing more than 140 years and predates the
university. Many of the plants and trees In this
area are labeled with tx)tanical and environmental
data. In 2004, the Elon University campus, with its
extensive and diverse collection of plant life, was
declared a botanical garden to be planned and
maintained as an educational, environmental, and
aesthetic resource to b>enefit the university and the
surrounding community.
Comfort Stations
and Other
Assistance
Comfort stations are located at the back
of the seating area In the Whitley parking
lot and are also equipment with changing
stations for infants and small children.
Additional restroom facilities are located in
Long and Alamance building
The information table at the back of the
seating area will remain staffed throughout
the ceremony. Lost items will be held at this
location. Following the ceremony, all lost
and found items will be taken to Campus
Security in 216 McCoy Commons, The
Oaks on Williamson Avenue.
Complimentary water stations and the
first aid station are also located at the
back of the seating area.
Photography during
Commencement
A professional photographer will take photos of each
graduate receiving his or her diploma. Proofs will be sent to
home addresses within two weeks. Many in the audience
will also want to take photographs as the graduates receive
their diplomas. Staff at the Commencement Photographs
tables will provide sales information and accept orders.
Elon Television will produce DVDs of all Commencement
exercises including the awarding of degrees and the
Baccalaureate ceremony. Staff at the Elon Television
tables will provide sales information and accept orders.
A family photography area is beside the stage (audience
right). Please wait to approach this area until the respective
degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor
of Science, Bachelor of Science/Business Administration
and first letter of the graduate’s last name is displayed by
the entrance. When leaving your seat, please go to the
back of the seating area and along the sidewalk along
Whitley (audience right) to the family photography area.
Please return along the same route.
Special
Needs
Wheelchair accessible
seating area for guests with
special needs is located
audience left. Seating is
plentiful and reservations
are not needed in advance.
Afamilywithaspecial needs
guest may sit together
In this area. Wheelchair
accessible restrooms
are located In McEwen
Dining Hall and McEwen
Communications Building.
A live broadcast for guests
with special needs is
also available inside the
McEwen Communications
Building.
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