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 1:00 P.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. 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. Also remember that the arena can be cool. Women: Please do not wear high-heeled shoes.

Guest seating: no tickets required General guest seating is on a first-come first- served basis and will be available beginning at 1pm. 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 3pm. The university bookstore will also have a table with merchandise for sale in this same area.

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 line-up instructions. Honors are listed and are read along with your name.

Processional Staff will line you up for the processional in the north corridor based on your degree and college around 2:30pm. Around 3:05pm you will be led to the arena floor with ½ of you being led behind the stage to the SW corner and ½ of you to the NW corner. You will be led toward the east end of the arena and then proceed up the center aisle. Ushers will direct you to be seated in one of the two seating sections.

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 3pm.

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 up the ramp. An assistant will take your reader card and hand it to the University Reader at the podium. When you hear your name read, proceed across the stage.

Ceremony, con’t Shake President Bradshaw’s hand with your right hand, take the diploma cover with your left hand and pause to smile for the photographer. Shake hands with the College Dean. Bob Knight photo is on the floor next to the stage. Staff will direct you to return to your seat. This process will then be repeated for the bachelors candidates.

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

Recessional Faculty Greeting Lines Once the faculty have formed candidate greeting lines at the east end of the arena (at the back of the seating area), ushers will direct you to move down the center aisle to your college flag. Please greet each faculty member in the line before being directed by the ushers to exit either along the north side of the arena using the NW exit or the south side of the arena using the SW exit.

The End Do NOT stop once in the corridor. Please arrange to meet with your family either on the south side of the arena or the east side.