The Chancellor's reception is from 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM. at the Dee J. Kelly Alumni Center. The commencement ceremony begins at 1 p.m. Specific instructions concerning the commencement ceremony will be mailed in late November.

Before commencement

Order your cap, gown and diploma
Cap and gown may be ordered online through my.tcu.edu. Click on Student Center and select the "Diploma/Cap and gown ordering" link. Cap and gown orders placed after November 14, 2008 are subject to a late fee. Late orders can be placed by calling 281-379-3825 or e-mailing hjcollegetx@sbcglobal.net. The cap and gown is a rental unit; however, graduate students who wish to purchase the gown and/or hood may contact Herff Jones at 281-379-3825. Latin Honors are printed on the diploma. All honors are announced from the podium and are printed in the program. There are no cords for Latin Honors. Some organizations provide honor cords to wear with the gown. Contact your organization for this information.

If you cannot attend commencement, check the "Not Attending Commencement" box. Candidates must provide name, student ID number, degree information and a permanent mailing address.     Diplomas will be mailed after January 12, 2009.

When ordering your diploma at my.tcu.edu, remember that tradition suggests your full name (First Middle Last) for the diploma, no nicknames or titles. The name published in the commencement     program will be the same as the name on your academic records at TCU. The deadline for online diploma ordering is November 14, 2008.

Pick up cap and gown

•    Friday, December 19, 2008 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Daniel-Meyer Coliseum or
•    Saturday, December 20, 2008 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum

Almost Alumni Handbook
This book is published annually, is distributed to each family of a potential graduate and are available in each college’s dean’s office. The book contains all information about commencement, including resources for out-of-town guests. For questions about this book, please contact Jonie Smith at 817-257-7802 or j.g.smith@tcu.edu. A handbook will be mailed to the family of the degree candidate at their permanent address.

Announcements/invitations
Graduates can order announcements through the University Book Store 817-257-7844. Candidates may invite an unlimited number of guests.

Payment of fees
The graduation fee is charged to (all degree candidates including student graduating "in absentia") your student account. Once you are listed as a degree candidate, this is a non-refundable fee even if your graduation is deferred for academic or financial reasons. Your student account, including this fee, must be paid in full by December 5, 2008.

•    Undergraduate: $55.00
•    Graduate: $65.00
•    Doctorate: $100.00

Masters and Doctoral fees
The following items require separate payment and cannot be charged to the student account. Please submit a separate check or cash payment for:

•    Thesis: $55.00
•    Dissertation: $65.00

If you have any questions please contact: Wendy Crowley - Student Accounts 817-257-7834 or w.crowley@tcu.edu.

Other Useful Links
Registrar’s Office - www.reg.tcu.edu/gradinfo.asp
Graduate Studies - www.graduate.tcu.edu

Day of commencement

Chancellor's reception
The Chancellor's reception is from 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM. at the Dee J. Kelly Alumni Center.

When and where to meet
Meet at 12:15 p.m. in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum North Concourse. Each degree candidate must have a number card for the processional. Bring the card you receive in the mail. If you misplace it, a     replacement can be obtained at the Registrar's table, located in the upper level of the concourse, just before the class assembles.

Guests
Tickets are not required. Each degree candidate may invite an unlimited number of guests. The ceremony lasts 2 1/2 - 3 hours. There is no reserved seating except for disabled. If someone in your party needs assistance with handicapped seating/parking, contact Office of Community Projects 257-7802.

Parking Map
Parking is available in close proximity to Daniel-Meyer Coliseum for commencement. Please view the map for available parking lots.

Professional Photography
Flash Photography will be set up on the floor of the Coliseum to take pictures of all graduates. Three pictures will be taken: one with the Chancellor, one with your dean and a posed shot after         you exit the stage. Flash Photography will email the student a few days after the event with instructions on how to order photos. If you have any questions, please call 817-924-2626.

You may also take informal photos with your family during the reception at the Kelly Center or on the patio.

Red Productions LLC will make a professional video of the ceremony. The company will mail information about ordering the video to your permanent address.

NOTE: If you have FERPA set on your TCU account, your address will not be given to the professional photographers.

After commencement

Hometown News
TCU Office of Communications receives graduate information from the Registrar and uses a third-party service to help distribute the student's name, degree, major and hometown to the student's     hometown newspaper. The newspaper is selected based on the zip code of the student's permenant address. If you prefer to have your information sent to a different newspaper, please e-mail Lisa Albert at l.albert@tcu.edu and request the publication you want. The entire process usually takes a few weeks after graduation to disseminate. Once the information reaches the publication, the newspaper editors decide when the information will appear.

Other Useful Links
TCU Alumni - www.froglinks.com


Important Numbers

Colleges:

• AddRan College of Liberal Arts, Dean Andrew Schoolmaster, 817-257-7160
• Brite Divinity School, Dean Nancy Ramsay, 817-257-7577
• M.J. Neeley School of Business, Dean Homer Erekson, 817-257-7527
• College of Communication, Dean David Whillock, 817-257-5918
• College of Education, Dean Mary Patton, 817-257-7663
• College of Fine Arts, Dean Scott Sullivan, 817-257-2787
• Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Dean Paulette Burns, 817-257-6749
• College of Science & Engineering, Dean Michael McCracken, 817-257-7727

Other resources

• Alumni Association - 817-257-7803
• TCU Bookstore - 817-257-7844
• University Career Services - 817-257-2222
• Commencement, Office of Community Projects - 817-257-7802
• Financial Services - 817-257-7834
• Flash Photography (graduation photos)- 817-924-2626
• Herff Jones (caps and gowns) - 281-379-3825
• Registrar’s Office - 817-257-7825
• Red Productions LLC (graduation DVD orders) - 817-810-0777   

A total of 1,303 students graduated from TCU during May's split Commencement ceremonies, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. (see downloadable photos)

The Honorable Roger Williams, former Secretary of State and TCU alumnus, delivered both Commencement addresses at the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

The morning ceremony consisted of 697 candidates receiving degrees from the Neeley School of Business, College of Education, College of Science & Engineering and the master of liberal arts graduate program. Graduating senior physics major Chris Bryant led the singing of a hymn and the TCU Alma Mater. The TCU Commencement Band played for both ceremonies. The class of 1958 was in attendance celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation. John Merrill, former director of TCU’s Ranch Management Program, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree for his lifelong dedication to the ranching industry.

The 606 students who graduated in the afternoon represented AddRan College of Liberal Arts, College of Communication, College of Fine Arts, and Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Brite Divinity School graduated 31 students during the afternoon ceremony. Graduating senior music and vocal performance major Emily Foster led the singing of a hymn and the TCU Alma Mater. Sandra Brown, best-selling author, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree for her literary accomplishments.