Guide to
Commencement Activities for Graduate Students
June 12-13, 2008

Commencement activities offer family and friends a chance to celebrate the enormous accomplishments of the students receiving graduate degrees. We invite you to join us on Thursday, June 12, between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. for the President's Garden Reception, held at the President's residence. Friday, June 13, features the main event. Commencement ceremonies will begin at 10:00 a.m. on the Beckman Mall. After that there will be a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at the Athenaeum for all graduating students, families and friends. We hope that you will be able to attend these events.

Michael R. Hoffmann
Dean of Graduate Studies

Graduating students will be sent a packet of information including reservation cards in April from the Graduate Office.

Schedule of Events and Reservation Information

Thursday, June 12

Campus Tours
Self-guided campus tours are available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Office of Public Relations, 315 South Hill Avenue.

Reception for International Graduates
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Center for Student Services, 2nd floor
No Charge, but reservations required
Hosted by
The Office of International Student Programs

Refreshments served. Because of space limitations, this reception is open only to international graduates and their guests.

Cap & Gown Portraits
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Marshaling area by Millikan Pond
Two professional photographers from Chappell Studios will be available to shoot cap and gown portraits (informal photos). Individual and/or group shots will be offered.

Graduation Celebration
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Athenaeum
Prepaid reservations required
Hosted by
The Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies and The Graduate Student Council

The Graduate Office and Graduate Student Council will host a luncheon for students receiving graduate degrees, their families, and friends on Thursday, June 12, at the Athenaeum on campus, starting at 11:30 a.m. There is no charge for the graduating student.

The deadline for reservations and payment is Friday, May 30. If your plans change at the last minute, and you find you must cancel all or part of your reservation, please notify the Graduate Office. Unfortunately, we will not be able to refund cancellations occurring after May 30.

Seating at the lunch will be assigned, and table assignments will be issued prior to the meal. The response card has a space where you may indicate the names of those individuals or families with whom you wish to sit. Early reservations are important, since that will permit us to honor your seating requests.

Reception at the President's Garden
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
415 South Hill Avenue
No charge, but reservations requested
Reservation form enclosed
We hope you will drop by the President's Garden sometime between 4:00 and 6:00 for beverages and hors d'oeuvres, in honor of the graduates and their families.
Hosted by President Jean-Lou Chameau and Dr. Carol Carmichael and the Caltech Alumni Association

Student Concert
8:30 p.m.
Ramo Auditorium
No reservations required
Caltech Chamber Singers and talented student performers will play and sing a variety of musical selections.

Friday, June 13

Commencement Exercises
10:00 a.m.
Speaker:  Robert Krulwich, award-winning science, technology, and economics journalist, NPR's Science Desk correspondent, and co-host of "Radio Lab."
Beckman Mall
Parking is available in lots and structures throughout campus.

Please note that the site of these exercises is in the direct sun and the weather is usually hot. You may want to bring a hat or wear sunscreen. In the unlikely event of a major rainstorm, the event will be moved inside.

Commencement Luncheon
12:30 to 2:00 p.m.
The Athenaeum
Prepaid reservations required
Following the ceremony, the Athenaeum will serve a luncheon for graduates and their families and friends.
Reservations and payment must be received by May 30. Again, if your plans change, you must notify the Commencement Coordinator on or before May 30. We cannot refund your money after May 30.