Line-Up and Seating

Find Your Lineup Position -- Here's an example from 2012....

Graduating students, see the Marching List (PDF) to find your row and location. This marching list (in exact alpha order) will be posted the night before Commencement.

If the Ceremony is Outdoors

Students: Line up will proceed as follows: Ph.D. degree candidates line up with their sponsor in the front of Boynton Hall. Master's degree candidates line up in front of Boynton Hall (behind the Ph.D. candidates). Bachelor's degree candidates line up behind the Masters candidates, near Washburn Shops and Gordon Library. Staff in those locations will direct students to their assigned rows and exact seating order.

Faculty: Faculty will robe in their offices. They will line up at the west end of Boynton Hall, near the Earle Bridge.

Trustees and Stage Party: Robing and line-up will take place in The Bartlett Center on the main Quad.

If the Ceremony is Indoors

(Notification will be posted on the WPI website by 6 a.m.)

Students: Bachelor degree candidates will line up in Alumni Gymnasium, on the main gym floor. Master's degree candidates will line up on the lowest level of Harrington Auditorium. Ph.D. degree candidates will line up with their sponsor on the first floor of Alumni Gymnasium. Staff in each location will direct students to their assigned rows.

Faculty: Faculty will robe in their offices. They will line up on the first floor of Alumni Gym (outside the offices of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics).

Trustees and Stage Party: Robing and line-up will take place in the Forkey Conference Room in Harrington Auditorium, behind the bleachers to the left of the main entrance doors.

Upon Arriving Saturday Morning (for outdoor ceremony):

• Pick up a Final Marching List on the stairs of Boynton Hall.
• Find your name and your column (left or right), row (1-30) and seat (1-12) on the marching list.
• There will be signs with ROW numbers marked on them along Boynton Drive, find the sign with your row number on it.
• Check in with the line-up coordinator for your row. The coordinator will assist you in finding your exact seating position in line.
• Once you found your proper location, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE IT!

 

Taking Your Seat

• As you march into the seating area, the left column will fill in the left side seats, and the right column will fill in the right side seats. (see Figure #1).
• If the person in front of you does not arrive to march, you do NOT take his or her seat. You will leave the seat open and sit in the seat that was assigned to you.
• Remain standing until you are told to sit down.
• Gentlemen will remove their caps for the National Anthem and Invocation.

Receiving Your Diploma

• The Honorary Marshall will lead the first ROW to the stage to receive diplomas. Commencement Aides will lead each successive row to the stage.
• When s/he arrives at the far right of a row, the ENTIRE row (both left and right seating locations) should RISE AS ONE.
• The ROW will proceed to the right, with those candidates seated in the left seating section CROSSING the center aisle and walking through the right seating section. (see Figure #2).
• When your name is called walk to center stage. Receive your diploma with your left hand, and shake hands using your right hand.
• Move your tassel from the right side of your cap to the left.
• Upon receiving your diploma, walk across the stage to the stairs on the far left. Proceed to the left end of your row.
• Walk through the row back to your seat. Those of you seated in the right seating location will have to CROSS the center aisle.
• Upon reaching your seat, you may sit immediately.

The Recessional

• The stage party and faculty recess first.
• As the last faculty pass the FIRST row, this row (both left and right seating locations) files out in two columns (as they did in the processional).
• The first row is followed by each succeeding row.
• Continue marching until the stage party stops.