Commencement moves to Tacoma Dome
September 27, 2005
To allow for a much larger audience at the grand spring Commencement ceremony, PLU will move graduation to the Tacoma Dome starting in May 2006. The traditions of this important milestone in the lives of PLU graduates and the university will continue in the new venue.
The move means tickets will not be required, and graduates can invite as many family and friends as they want to celebrate their accomplishments in person. In the past, each graduate received a small number of tickets. The dome, which will be sectioned off in a special way, can accommodate an audience of 6,000, more than twice what Olson Auditorium can seat for Commencement. It is easily accessible to people with disabilities.
With more than 600 students earning graduate and undergraduate degrees in the past few May ceremonies and ever-growing classes, Commencement has simply outgrown Olson Auditorium. For many years, Olson has been filled to capacity well before the ceremony starts, sending many families and friends to two overflow locations airing the ceremony on closed circuit TV. Even those have run out of seats.
Having more space also will allow August graduates to choose to participate in either the traditional May ceremony or the December commencement, which will continue to be held on campus. There will no longer be a need for a separate summer ceremony.
Commencement will continue to include traditions such as vocal performances, the faculty procession, University banners and the University Mace. Also, the university will expand the opportunities for graduates and their families to enjoy campus on Commencement Weekend, including the worship service and brunch before the ceremony and more photo opportunities.
“We’re working very hard to preserve the elements of the ceremony that make PLU Commencement so special to our graduates and their families,” Registrar Kristin Plaehn said. “This move will make Commencement much more accessible and comfortable for everyone who looks forward to this important day.”
The university is pleased to announce that internationally recognized global health expert Dr. Bill Foege ’57 will deliver the May 2006 Commencement Address. Dr. Foege is an advisor to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and the Carter Center and a member of the PLU Board of Regents.
Graduates and their families will receive more detailed information as Commencement approaches.
With more than 600 students earning graduate and undergraduate degrees in the past few May ceremonies and ever-growing classes, Commencement has simply outgrown Olson Auditorium. For many years, Olson has been filled to capacity well before the ceremony starts, sending many families and friends to two overflow locations airing the ceremony on closed circuit TV. Even those have run out of seats.
Having more space also will allow August graduates to choose to participate in either the traditional May ceremony or the December commencement, which will continue to be held on campus. There will no longer be a need for a separate summer ceremony.
Commencement will continue to include traditions such as vocal performances, the faculty procession, University banners and the University Mace. Also, the university will expand the opportunities for graduates and their families to enjoy campus on Commencement Weekend, including the worship service and brunch before the ceremony and more photo opportunities.
“We’re working very hard to preserve the elements of the ceremony that make PLU Commencement so special to our graduates and their families,” Registrar Kristin Plaehn said. “This move will make Commencement much more accessible and comfortable for everyone who looks forward to this important day.”
The university is pleased to announce that internationally recognized global health expert Dr. Bill Foege ’57 will deliver the May 2006 Commencement Address. Dr. Foege is an advisor to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and the Carter Center and a member of the PLU Board of Regents.
Graduates and their families will receive more detailed information as Commencement approaches.