Congrats to our Summer Grads!

Congratulations! Here are a few things to help you prepare for your big day.

1. The graduation breakfast has been canceled.  It seems the majority of you will not be arriving in time prior to the commencement ceremony so we have canceled the graduation breakfast.  On behalf of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, please accept our warmest congratulations and send our regards to your family and friends.

2. The graduation ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. in Reed Arena.  Make sure to arrive at least 45 minutes before the ceremony.  Bring your cap and gown and wear sensible shoes because you will be walking down lots of stairs.  Graduates will enter Reed Arena by the north entrance (if you’re looking at the front of Reed Arena, it’s the side to the right).   Once you get in the door you will notice that graduates will line up in two areas depending on your major and degree.  The BA HORT and BS HORT majors will line up downstairs.  Just follow the directions.  Once you get to the room, there will be signs where each major will assemble.  Carol Nesbitt or I will be in your designated area with you.  Your guests can enter any door and tickets are not required.  If you have a large group and they want to sit together, we urge them to arrive early. 

3. You may show your creativity by decorating your mortar board.  If you plan to bring a purse or cell phone, remember that you will carry it throughout the ceremony- there is no place to store these items. 

4. To graduate with Latin honors requires a minimum of 60 passed hours at Texas A&M University (excluding Credit by Exam and Graduate Level courses) with a minimum GPR of 3.500.  If you fit these qualifications, you will receive a golden honor stole to be worn in the ceremony.  You can pick up your stole inside of the room where graduates will line up. 

5. Please make sure all of your final grades from other schools, incomplete grades, credit by exams, etc. are sent to TAMU by Thursday, August 9 at noon.  All degree candidates who were enrolled in all remaining degree requirements during the semester, in which the graduation is being held, will be allowed to participate in commencement regardless of whether they pass the final audit on August 9.  Candidates who are not certified for graduation will not receive a diploma at commencement and will get an empty tube.  Due to the short time remaining on Friday to finalize honors and stack diplomas, no one will be available to assist with graduation problems until Monday, August 13. Students may go to the General Services Complex, 750 Agronomy Road, Suite 1501, to discuss problems or email inquiries to degree-audit@tamu.edu . Diplomas will not be distributed until Wednesday, August 15, 2012. Diplomas will be available to degree candidates immediately after problems are solved and certification is accomplished. You may also have your diploma sent to you by emailing degree-audit@tamu.edu  and they will provide instructions.  Degree candidates not clearing for graduation on August 9 will have until 5 p.m. the first Friday of the fall semester (August 31, 2012) to clear all problems. Candidates not cleared must reapply for fall 2012 graduation and pay the diploma fee again.  If this happens, you will need to cancel your August graduation at:  http://admissions.tamu.edu/forms/registrarForms/CancelGradForm.pdf and reapply for fall 2012 graduation by the deadline at http://admissions.tamu.edu/Registrar/Current/GradInfo.aspx

For more information, go to http://admissions.tamu.edu/Registrar/Current/GradInfo.aspx for all of the details. 

You will graduate with 609 fellow Aggies at the Friday Ceremony and it should last approximately 2 hours.  We will take a group HORT photo.  You are strongly encouraged to stay for the entire ceremony.  See you there.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!