How To: A Guide to Penn State Schuylkill's Spring Commencement Ceremony
Schuylkill's spring commencement ceremony will occur on Saturday, May 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the gymnasium.
Important Ceremony Reminders • Check-In and Processional Instructions
Commencement Speaker • Live Stream
Congratulations, Class of 2018-19!
Please join us for the
2019 Spring Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 4, 2019
10:30 a.m., Gymnasium
Prior to the Commencement ceremony, graduates and two guests are invited to join faculty and staff for a small reception. Meet the Commencement speaker, introduce your parents to your favorite professor, and discuss your post-graduation plans with your fellow grads.
Reception Honoring Commencement Speaker and Graduates
9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
201 Health and Wellness Building
You've worked hard, and it's finally paying off. Click through this page to learn more about the Commencement ceremony. One of the biggest days of your life is approaching, and we're here to help make the process easier. If you have any questions that are not addressed in the content of this page, please contact Elyce Kaplan in the Office of the Registrar at 570-385-6125.
Join us in the Student Community Center for a commencement after-party!
Important Commencement Ceremony Reminders
Congratulations on earning your freshly-minted Penn State degree! Here are some things you will need to remember the day of the Commencement ceremony:
Graduates and two guests are invited to a Commencement reception!
9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
201 Health and Wellness Building
This is your opportunity to:
- Meet and greet faculty and staff
- Mingle with your fellow graduates
- Speak to the Commencement speaker
- Introduce yourself to members of the campus Advisory Board
If you are attending the reception, arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. If you are only attending the Commencement ceremony, arrive no later than 9:45 a.m.
Remember to dress appropriately:
- Do not wear flip flops, shorts, or jeans
- Do not display anything on your gown aside from honor cords and/or corsages
- Keep cap decorations tasteful and messages appropriate
Important Notes
- Turn off your cell phone
- Leave valuables and other personal effects with your guests
- Only certified service animals are permitted on campus
- Handicap parking will be available in the Health & Wellness Building lot on a first-come, first-served basis.
Join us in the Student Community Center for a commencement after-party!
Check-In and Processional Instructions
Checking In
Assemble in the auditorium and report to the registration table. Fill out and return the card(s) handed to you. Ensure your name pronunciation is correct.
Signs will indicate your specific major and the order in which you should stand. Line up by the sign and proceed following your designated escort.
Processional
During the ceremony, follow your escort for cues regarding when to rise and proceed to receive your degree placeholder. Listen for cues instructing you when to move your tassel from right to left, as well (undergraduates only).
When it is your turn to receive your degree placeholder, remember to hand the Marshal your card(s).
Approach Dr. Jones, chancellor, to accept your degree placeholder; accept it with your left hand and shake Dr. Jones' hand with your right. Smile for photos, and shake hands with additional platform party.
After descending from the stage, please continue back to your seat without interruption. Do not break the lineup.
Finally (and perhaps most importantly), congratulate yourself on becoming a bona fide Penn State grad!
2019 Spring Commencement Speaker
Susan C. Robinson
Credit: Penn State
Susan Robinson is a leader making an impact on the world in a truly unique way. Through her corporate and conference keynote, commencement addresses, workshops, client initiatives and writing, she masterfully blends 25+ years of multi-sector leadership with her experiences being legally blind to shift thinking, elevate potential and inspire action. She has worked with global firms and Fortune 500 companies, top not-for-profit organizations, leading universities and the United Nations.
Her speaking style is dynamic, inspirational and thought-provoking. Susan's adept ability to convey difficult and complex issues with approachability allows her to resonate with diverse audiences. Exemplified by her TED Talk with 1.4M+ views, “How I fail at being disabled,” Susan humorously weaves disparate concepts into a meaningful narrative and flips generally-accepted ideas upside down to uncover, challenge and redefine preconceived obstacles.
In her role as advisor and consultant, Susan works with other business leaders on efforts that impact revenue, relevance and reputation. Her previous projects have included leadership workshops for top talent; enterprise-wide assessments to optimize competitive differentiators and growth potential; and business strategy, horizon and transformation planning. The results are impactful and include increased competency to lead a new program launch for one client; a 7-fold increase in revenue for another, and a successful organizational leadership transition for a third.
Susan is an Executive Board Member of the Penn State Alumni Association's Alumni Council and a Board Member of both the New York State Preferred Source for the Blind and InTandem Cycling.
She received her Master of Public Administration, specializing in Health Policy and Management, from New York University, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service; and her Bachelor of Science, Health Policy and Administration, with minors in Business and Economics, from The Pennsylvania State University.
Susan is a tango dancer, yoga practitioner, tandem cyclist and world traveler. She lives in New York City.
Live Stream Commencement!
Penn State Schuylkill's class of 2018-19 celebrated their academic accomplishments alongside family, friends, faculty and staff on Saturday, May 4. Speakers included:
- Dr. Rod Heisey, campus marshal
- Dr. Patrick Jones, chancellor
- Leila Duka, student commencement speaker
- Susan C. Robinson, keynote speaker
- Attorney Rick Wiest, advisory board president
- Elyce Kaplan, campus registrar
- Carl K. Rosenberger, Penn State Schuylkill Alumni Society president
