Guide to
Commencement Activities for Graduate Students
June 10-11, 2010

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 10, between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. for the President's Reception, held at the Athenaeum. Friday, June 11, 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.

Joseph E. Shepherd
Dean of Graduate Studies

Graduating students will receive reservation information in April and reservations are due by May 21.

Schedule of Events and Reservation Information

Thursday, June 10

Cap & Gown Portraits/Family Portraits
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Marshaling Area by Millikan Pond
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The President's Garden
415 South Hill Avenue
A professional photographer from GradTrak®/Chappell Studio will be available to photograph graduating students (with or without regalia) and their families.

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 10, 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 21. 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 21.

Seating at the lunch will be assigned, and table assignments will be issued prior to the meal. Please indicate the names of those individuals or families with whom you wish to sit in your reservation. 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
We hope you will drop by the President's Reception 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 11

Commencement Exercises
10:00 a.m.
Beckman Mall
Speaker: TBD

Parking is available in lots and structures throughout campus at no charge. Parking limits on surrounding streets are lifted on June 11.

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.

Water coolers will be available along the Beckman Mall during the exercises. For other refreshments, please go to the Café at Broad (Building 96), Chandler Dining Hall (Building 52), or the Red Door Café (Building 51). See campus map for building locations.

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 21. Again, if your plans change, you must notify the Commencement Coordinator on or before May 21. We cannot refund your money after May 21.