The time has come to celebrate academic achievements, say goodbye to 2015 and hello to new opportunities.
And for more than 6,000 Arizona State University students, it’s also time to get their degrees conferred as ASU’s fall commencements begin later this week.
The university has more than a dozen ceremonies planned with many opportunities to turn the tassels from right to left.
“Our fall commencement tends to be smaller and more intimate than the spring; it still has the same excitement,” said Melissa Werner, director of University Ceremonies and Protocol Officer at ASU.
“It’s a nice way for students to exit ASU before the holidays commence.”
University Commencement for undergraduate students will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The graduate ceremony is scheduled later that day at 1:30 p.m. in Wells Fargo Arena.
Special interest and cultural convocations will be held throughout the week at the Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, West and Thunderbird campuses starting Friday, Dec. 11. They include the American Indian Convocation, Hispanic Convocation, Barrett Honors Convocation, Asian/Asian Pacific Convocation, Black and African American Convocation and the Lavender Convocation, which honors students from the LGBTQA community.
The ASU Alumni Association in partnership with the Pat Tillman Veterans Center will also recognize student vets, who will receive special stoles to mark their service and their ability to conquer the challenge of earning a college degree. The stoles are adorned with the seal of the veterans’ branch of service, the Arizona State University seal and the word “veteran.” The stoles are worn over academic regalia at commencement and college convocation ceremonies.
Werner said she also expects a strong showing from online and students who participated and graduated from the Starbucks College Achievement Plan.
“Many of our online and non-traditional students are proud Sun Devils and have made plans to attend commencement, and we certainly welcome them,” Werner said.
Tickets are required for some events. For more information, visit graduation.asu.edu.
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