Looking back & moving forward

In a few short days, Luther will bid 540 of its students goodbye. Commencement 2010 will be held 10 a.m. Sunday, May 23 in Carlson Stadium. If the weather is unfavorable, it will be held in the Regents Center. Although the final ceremony lasts around two hours, other end of the year events will be held throughout the weekend.

“It’s [Commencement] one of many ways we honor seniors and recognize the contributions they have made and wish them well,” Vice President and Dean for Student Life Ann Highum said.

Along with the presentation of diplomas to the senior class, one senior will be selected by his or her fellow classmates to receive the Jenson Medal. This medal is given to the student who has demonstrated the ideals of Luther through service to students and the community.

The Young Alumni Award is also awarded for outstanding achievement of Luther alumni who have graduated in the last 15 years for their vocation and avocation. This year’s award will be given to Dr. Josh White (‘97) for his work in Haiti.

Dr. Philip Geier, the executive director and co-founder of Davis United World Colleges, was chosen as the speaker for commencement.

“We selected him because of our relationship with United World Colleges,” President Richard Torgerson said. “We have about 50 students from the program, and we’ve had a great relationship with the foundation.”

Though the seniors are the stars of the show during graduation, there are many departments heavily involved in making the day go as planned. In fact, the registration department starts preparing more than a year in advance.

“Basically, we start at the end of junior year and query about the students we believe might make up next year’s class and ask them about what their plans are,” Assistant Registrar Kristi Haindfield said. “Then, during their senior year, we continue to contact them and get specific information needed for the ceremony.”

In addition, the registrar coordinates seating for graduates at Commencement and Baccalaureate and insures that all diploma covers are accounted for.

Each year, the Box Office coordinates seating for guests and ushering for Commencement, Baccalaureate and the music showcase.

“We usually start the process a little after the beginning of spring semester, and it only gets busier from there,” Efe Mensah-Brown (‘10), who has helped with three commencements, said.

For commencement, each graduate receives six tickets, four of which are valid for both indoor and outdoor graduation. The Box Office also takes care of the commencement waiting lists and ushering for the events, which includes helping accommodate physically challenged guests.

Facilities is one of the most impressive contributors to the graduation events. From Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon, Facilities workers will help non-stop. On Thursday, after all students have cleared out of Brandt, a crew will clean about three-fourths of the building to provide parents with housing for Commencement.

The ensuing tasks include rounding all 1,460 chairs on campus and setting up and cleaning after all events, performances and ceremonies. Facilities will set up the field and the Regents Center to accomodate for weather conditions.

“We make the call on inside or outside about 6:30 on Sunday morning and go from there,” Trades Work Coordinator Steve Arneson said.

Whether it’s planning months in advance or setting up two ceremonies, it takes many people from the Luther community to put Commencement together.