Class of 2011 prepares to take final Walk Around the Quad

According to Susan Arbo, director of ceremonies and signature events, the Baccalaureate is "a long-standing tradition."

"It gives graduates and their families an opportunity to…reflect on their [William] Jewell experience and look into the future," Arbo said.

Activities at the Baccalaureate will include a sermon by Dr. Amy

Hartsfield, counselor and assessment consultant at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and performances by the College’s Concert and Chapel Choirs.

Immediately following the Baccalaureate Ceremony, the graduates and their guests will be welcomed to brunch with members of the College faculty in the Dining Halls. The meal will last from 10 a.m. to noon and is complimentary.

During the time that Dining Services is serving brunch, the President’s home will be open to visitors. According to the schedule given to the graduates, the Woman’s Committee of William Jewell College will be hosting the open house event from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

At 11:30 a.m., the doors will open to the Mabee Center, where the graduation ceremony will be taking place. According to Arbo, the seating will be determined on a first-come-first-served basis.

At 11:45 a.m. graduates are expected to report to Gano and line up in preparation for the traditional last walk around the Quad.

"As part of the traditional commencement celebration, graduates will make the ceremonial last walk around the Quad led by bagpipers and a color guard at approximately 12:30 p.m.," Arbo said.

After the 2011 graduates finish their walk around the Quad, they will make their way down to the Mabee Center to attend the Commencement ceremony.

Commencement will begin at 1 p.m. and will last an estimated two hours.

The speakers at the 2011 Commencement will include Dr. Anne Dema, provost of the College, and a representative from the graduating class. Joe Malin, senior, was chosen by his peers to deliver the class of 2011’s Senior Message, but he will not be able to attend Commencement due to schedule conflicts.

Malin, along with the rest of the Cardinals’ baseball team will be playing in the regionals round of the national tournament at the time that graduation will be taking place. At time of print, it is unclear whether Malin will be addressing Commencement attendees via a pre-recorded video or whether one of his peers will deliver the Senior Message.

"It’s up in the air right now. At the moment, I could record [my speech] in a video recording, then that could play at graduation," Malin said. "Or, I am in contact with Student Senate, and they will be getting in touch with the second largest vote-getter and letting them know that they could give the speech."

Malin, who is a pitcher for the baseball team, said he has mixed feelings about attending his team’s tournament over Commencement. He said that he recognizes the team’s hard work, but still feels conflicted.

"I would really like to be at the Commencement ceremony. I’m a little bummed I won’t be there. Not being there at graduation with my fellow classmates is a little difficult to think about," Malin said.

According to Malin, this is the third year the Cardinals’ baseball team has participated in this tournament, but the first time it has conflicted with graduation, calling it "a new hurdle."

Following Commencement, the College is having a new alumni "photo party" which gives the new graduates one last opportunity to take pictures with their friends and family at the College. The photo party will start at 3 p.m.

For nursing students, the end of the year celebrations and ceremonies are starting a day early. On May 13, at 7 p.m., the nursing students will receive their pins at the department of nursing’s Pinning Ceremony. According to Arbo, nursing graduates also will participate in a candlelight processional.

Kasia Kovacs can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.