Contacts Registrar’s Office – For all final questions about Commencement Bookstore – Questions about gowns Adaptive Services – Questions concerning special needs

Directions to Germain Arena Germain Arena Everblades Parkway Estero, FL From the North: Take I-75 to Exit 128 (Alico Road). Head East on Alico Road to Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. Take Ben Hill Griffin for approximately 3.5 miles south. The Arena is located on the right-hand side. From the South: Take I-75 to Exit 123 (Corkscrew Road). Head East on Corkscrew Road. Take Ben Hill Griffin north and the Arena is located on the left-hand side.

Arrival Arrive 2 hours before the start of the Ceremony for a verbal group rehearsal. The building will open at 11:30 A.M. Candidates enter through the north entrance near the east side of the building under the BreakAway Pub blue awning. Only candidates will be allowed through these doors. Ticket-holding family and friends enter through main doors on the east (by the ticket booth) or south side.

Parking There is ample parking available at Germain Arena in the surrounding parking lots. There is no charge for parking. See aerial map of parking areas on the next slide. FGCU Police and Germain parking staff will be working to help you enter and exit the Arena.

Academic Attire Please leave all valuables and personal items with parents, friends, or guests. Inappropriate dress includes shorts, t-shirts, halter-tops, beach wear, sandals, etc. The arena will be cold during the ceremony. Students and their guests will be in a cold area for approximately 2 1/2 hrs and should dress warmly. Ladies: Please do not wear high-heeled shoes.

Guest seating: Tickets are Required for all Guests-Do not Forget Them! General guest seating with a ticket is on a first- come first-served basis and will be available beginning at 11:30 am. Seating for individuals with special needs is located on the south side of the arena. A concession stand will be open on the south side of the arena until 1:00pm. The university bookstore will also have a table with merchandise for sale in this same area.

Guest seating, continued Individuals without tickets are encouraged to view the ceremony on big screens to be made available at the FGCU Student Union Ballroom. Free parking at the FGCU Student Union will be available. Also, the Commencement Ceremony will be webcast. It will be accessible at beginning at 1:30 PM.

Reader Card & Survey Pick up your reader card and graduation survey at the table located just inside the entrance in the lobby area by the Germain Pro Shop. Once you have your reader card and survey, proceed inside to the north corridor to complete them and to receive instructions. If it is early, you may sit with your fellow candidates in seating at the west end of the arena. Ushers can direct you to this area. Please make sure that you move to the north corridor beginning at 12:30pm according to the following schedule:

Processional Seating 12:30-12:40 Candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences 12:40-12:50 Candidates from the Lutgert College of Business and the Whitaker School of Engineering 12:50-1:00 Candidates from the College of Professional Studies 1:00-1:08 Candidates from the College of Education 1:08-1:15 Candidates from the College of Health Professions You must be in your seat on the arena floor by 1:20pm or you may not be seated for the ceremony.

Photography During the Ceremony NO one is allowed onto the main floor or in the aisles to take pictures. A professional photographer has been hired to take no-obligation photos of each graduate crossing the stage and a photo after receiving your diploma cover. Bob Knight Photo Marketing will send proofs to you directly and give you the opportunity to purchase photos.

Webcast The Commencement exercise will be webcast. It will be accessible at www. fgcu.edu beginning at 1:30pm.

Ceremony At the appropriate moment, ushers will ask the masters candidates from each college to rise and follow them in turn to the right side of the stage facing them. Staff will send 1 graduate at a time across the floor. You will hand your reader card to the University Reader at the podium. When you hear your name read, proceed swiftly across the arena floor to receive your diploma cover.

Ceremony, continued Take the diploma cover as it is handed to you with your left hand. Move forward and with your right hand shake hands with President Bradshaw and pause briefly to smile for the photographer. Continue across the floor to shake hands with your college dean. Staff will direct you to the photo area and then to your college’s faculty greeting line before returning to your seat. This process will then be repeated for the bachelors candidates.

Recessional Order of recessional: – University Marshal – Platform Party – Faculty – Graduates, 1 row at a time

The End Candidates will be guided to the NW and SW corners of the arena floor. You will be led out of the SW exit of the arena. Please arrange to meet with your family either on the south side of the arena or the east side.