Q: When is graduation?
A: Graduation will take place on Sunday, May 23rd, 2010, at 11:00 am.  We recommend that parents, family members and guests make hotel reservations early.  Graduation is held outside of the Memorial Building on the south lawn.  The college provides seating (folding chairs and bleachers) and it is wise to bring your own blankets, stadium cushions or whatever else you need to sit comfortably for two to three hours.  Attendees generally start arriving between 9:30 and 10:30 am for seating.

Q: I've already tried to make reservations for graduation weekend but was told I couldn't do so until January 1^st.  Is there any way that I can get around this?
A: Some hotels in Walla Walla do make you wait until January 1^st to make your reservations.  There is a link to contact information for local accommodations on the parent's webpage http://www.whitman.edu/parents under "Visiting Whitman".  We also recommend you confirm your reservations a few weeks in advance.

Q: How long are the Commencement and Baccalaureate Ceremonies at Whitman?
A: Commencement generally lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours.  Baccalaureate is usually about an hour.

Q: What happens if it rains?
A:  Only in extreme weather conditions will Commencement be moved inside.  If it looks like there will be a possibility of moving Commencement inside, each senior will receive two rain tickets from their Reid Campus Center mailbox following Baccalaureate.  In the unlikely event of an indoor ceremony, Commencement will start at noon instead of 11:00 a.m.  Overflow seating will be available in the Reid Campus Center, Maxey Auditorium, and Kimball Auditorium. In all conditions, the ceremony will be webcast in the Reid Campus Center Ballroom and Kimball Auditorium for those who prefer to be inside.

Q: What are the arrangements for individuals who use wheelchairs or need access to a sign language interpreter?
A: Staff and students serving as event ushers will be available to guide individuals to appropriate seating. Security will allow vehicles to drop people off for the ceremony.  Meet the security officer at the intersection of Boyer and Park for instructions.

Q: Is there reserved seating?
A: No, seating is first-come, first-served. There will be seating provided on bleachers as well as folding chairs.  Guests are also welcome to bring their own folding lawn chairs to set up in green space near the bleachers.

Q: Is there a place to sit inside and watch the ceremony?
A: If you prefer to watch from an indoor location, the Commencement ceremony will be webcast on a large screen in the Young Ballroom, Reid Campus Center and Kimball Auditorium, Hunter Conservatory.

Q: Where is parking available?
A: Several parking lots are available throughout campus.  There are also parking spaces in the residential neighborhoods that surround campus and on Main Street.  Self-contained motor homes are welcome to park in any of the available campus parking lots for the Commencement weekend.

Q: Who is speaking at Commencement this year?
A:  Choosing the Commencement speaker is a fairly long process.  We begin with a list of possibilities generated by the faculty and a student committee, which is then approved by the Board of Trustees.  We then contact each nominee to check on their availability.

Q: When will we have a list of graduation activities?
A: Continue to check http://www.whitman.edu/commencement/ for updates on graduation activities.  The Commencement ceremony takes place at 11:00 am in front of the Memorial Building (the rain location is Cordiner Hall).  Various groups on campus organize activities and these generally start the Friday evening before Commencement.

Q: How can we get graduation announcements?
A: For students who wish to purchase graduation announcements, they can do so from Royal T Inc. either online at www.royaltpapers.com or from a representative who will visit campus second semester.  There are several packages available.  Whitman has worked with this company in the past and has always been pleased with their products.

Q:  Where do students get caps and gowns?
A: Caps and gowns are loaned to students by the college for the ceremony.  Hours for pick up and return will be posted in May.

Q:  Is there a rehearsal?
A: No, there is no rehearsal. Through printed and e-mail communications, as well as this Web site and the commencement marshals, you will be informed of all the ceremony details, from when and where to show up to how to walk across the stage and shake the president's hand.

Q: When and where is the senior class photo going to happen?
A: Please meet no later than 9:50 a.m. near the Science Building on Ankeny Field; please wear your cap and gown.

Q: How do I get copies of the professional photo and DVD?
A: The professional photographer is Marty Huie. Shortly after commencement, his company will send packets addressed "To the Parents/Family of STUDENT NAME." All the order information will be included along with contact information if you have questions. All order questions should be directed to the photography company directly, not Whitman.  Also, you can order online through this link: www.orders.gradphotonetwork.com  If you have questions, please call  (509) 529-5183 or send an e-mail to grads@bigfoot.com .

Q:  Can family and friends take pictures of the diploma presentation?
A: Audience members can take stills and videos from their seats. They are not allowed to approach the stage or stand in the area where graduates exit the stage. This is because the official professional photographer will capture graduates, diploma in hand, coming off the stage. If a graduate sees multiple cameras, he/she will be distracted. This hinders capturing the best possible professional shot.