Academics

Commencement

The 143rd Wilson College Commencement

Sunday, May 19, 2013

1:30 p.m.

Commencement and Inclement Weather

If Commencement is moved inside Laird Hall due to inclement weather, information will be posted here and on the information line at 717-262-2020. Please check back Sunday morning. Tickets for inside seating will be made available outside Lenfest Commons from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each graduating student can receive up to five tickets for seating in Laird Hall and five tickets for seating in the Alumnae Chapel in Thomson Hall, where the ceremony will be simulcast.

Schedule of Events

Download / Print Schedule

Friday, May 17, 2013
4:00 p.m.	Rehearsal — Commencement Ceremony	Main Green
5:30 p.m.	Senior Bash	Laird Hall Green

Saturday, May 18, 2013
3:30 p.m.	Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony	Allen Auditorium, Warfield Hall
5:00 p.m.	President's Garden Party	Sharpe House

Sunday, May 19, 2013
9:30 a.m.	Assembly of Graduating Class	Laird Patio
10:00 a.m.	Baccalaureate Service	Alumnae Chapel, Thomson Hall
11:00 a.m.	Senior Class Exercise ‡Passing of Colors and Senior Book ‡Daisy Chain	Banks of the Conococheague Creek
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.	Posed Portraits	First Floor Lounge, Lenfest Commons
11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.	Buffet Luncheon	Jensen Dining Hall
Robing for Commencement
12:30 p.m.	Photo of Franklin County Graduates	Front of Library (In case of rain – Lenfest Commons staircase)
12:45 p.m.	Photo of M.Ed. Candidates	Front of Library (In case of rain – Lenfest Commons staircase)
12:45 p.m.	Photo of Faculty	Front of Library (In case of rain – Edgar Hall)
12:45 p.m.	Photo of Baccalaureate Candidates	Front of Warfield Hall (In case of rain – under esplanade)
1:00 p.m.	Faculty	Front of Library (In case of rain – Edgar Hall)
1:00 p.m.	Trustees and Speakers Line Up	Front of Norland Hall (In case of rain – Norland Parlor)
1:00 p.m.	Blue and Silver Lines Line Up	West Side of Library (In case of rain – under esplanade
1:00 p.m.	Graduate Candidates Line Up	Front of Warfield Hall (In case of rain – Edgar Hall)
1:30 p.m.	Commencement Ceremony	Main Green (In case of rain – Laird Hall)
Following Commencement — Refreshments in the Dining Hall

Guest Speaker

Famed Oceanographer Sylvia A. Earle Famed oceanographer, explorer, environmentalist and author Sylvia A. Earle will address the graduating class of 2013.

Former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Earle — a leading proponent of protecting the earth’s environment and resources — has been called “A Living Legend” by the Library of Congress and “Her Deepness” by the New York Times. Time magazine named her its first “Hero for the Planet."

Founder of Deep Ocean Exploration and Research Inc. and Mission Blue — Sylvia Earle Alliance (SEAlliance) — Earle is “Explorer-in-Residence” of the National Geographic Society and has led more than 100 expeditions as an oceanographer and explorer. She led the first team of women aquanauts during the Tektite Project in 1970.

Today, Earle’s work focuses on developing a global network of areas, both on land and in the ocean, called “Hope Spots” that would “safeguard the living systems and that provide the underpinnings of global processes, from maintaining biodiversity and yielding basic life support services to providing stability and resiliency in response to accelerating climate change,” according to Earle’s website.

A graduate of St. Petersburg College and Florida State University, Earle earned a doctorate from Duke University. She holds 22 honorary doctorates and has received more than 100 national and international awards.

For more information, contact Wilson College Manager of Media Relations Cathy Mentzer at 717-264-4141, Ext. 3178, or cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu.

Local Accommodations & Other Amenities

For information about local lodging and accomodations, shopping, restaurants, churches, and healthcare go to the Visit Wilson section of the website and click on the labeled tabs.

Photographer Information

Posed Portraits

Posed portraits of graduates are available upon request. Contact Lorie Helman, Student Development at 717-262-2006 or lorie.helman@wilson.edu for more details or to arrange a sitting.

Graduation Ceremony Photographs

Photos of the ceremony and all graduates will be taken and available for viewing within one week of the graduation ceremony. All candidates will be photographed as they receive their diplomas.

Picture Plus
http://www.picplus.com/

Graduation Proof >> View Proof >> Wilson Graduation 2012 >> password: wilson

Commencement Flowers

Commencement Flowers is able to provide your graduate with vibrant, high quality, freshly cut flowers on the graduation -- they've been doing so for more than a decade.Take advantage of this time-saving,stress-reducing service and ease your day and enjoy the special moments with your special graduate.

Simply click on their logo to shop their beautiful yet reasonable price packages. Submit your order online and you will be able to pick up your fresh flowers on May 19 before the Commencement ceremony.

EVENT INFORMATION & DETAILS

Baccalaureate Service

The Baccalaureate Worship Service is an opportunity to gather as community and give thanks to God for the many blessing that have lead us to this special occasion. A joyous occasion for the entire College community, it is a time to rejoice, to praise, to honor and to celebrate with each other this rich life of learning shared by all members of the Wilson community. Everyone is welcome. Faculty and students process in cap and gown for the service.

Wilson College is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and all services are ecumenical in nature.

For more information, contact Rev. Rosie Magee, Wilson College Helen Carnell Eden Chaplain at (717) 264-4141 x3307 or rosie.magee@wilson.edu

Senior Class Exercises

Daisy Chain
	On the eve of graduation, the sophomore class constructs a chain made of daisies. They present the daisy chain to their sister class, the seniors, on graduation morning. The seniors toss the chain into the Conococheague Creek for good luck.
Senior Book

Passing of the Colors

Graduation Pledge

I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work.

Wilson College has been a chapter member of the Global Pledge Alliance since 2008, hoping and helping to build a global community of responsible graduates improving society and the environment through the workplace.

Taking the Graduation Pledge is voluntary, and if the commitment is made, it allows graduates to determine for themselves what they consider to be socially and environmentally responsible.

For more information, contact Christine Mayer, Program Manager for the Fulton Center for Sustainable Living.

President's Garden Party

Graduating seniors gather to enjoy a final social event as the Senior Class. Held on the grounds of the Sharpe House, class members traditionally attend this event in formal dress. Please note this event is by the exclusive invitation of the President to the Senior Class.

Buffet Lunch

A buffet lunch will be available prior to the Commencement ceremony. To make your reservation, contact Lorie Helman in Student Development at lorie.helman@wilson.edu or (717) 262-2006.

Sunday, May 19, 2013
11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Jensen Dining Hall