• Time/Location
• Driving Directions for Guests
• Prior to Ceremony
• During the Ceremony
• After the Ceremony
• Proper Attire
• Photographs
• Video
• Diplomas
• Transcripts
• Alumni Association
• Future Commencement Ceremonies

Time/Location

Spring 2008 Commencement will be held in the Stubblefield Center on Saturday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m.

You and your family are encouraged to take part in this important event.

• There is not a rehearsal for the ceremony.

• The ceremony is a non-ticketed event.

• Shuttle buses will be be running from several parking lots around campus for your friend's and family's convenience.

Driving Directions for Guests

From I-40, West of Fort Smith

From Interstate I-40, take exit #325 (Roland, OK). Travel (East) on US-64E, approximately 5.1 miles. You will cross the Arkansas River bridge into Fort Smith, Arkansas. Continue straight on Garrison Ave., heading toward the church. Follow Garrison as it veers to the right of the church and merges with Rogers Ave. Follow Rogers Ave. approximately 3 miles to the intersection of Rogers and Waldron Ave. You will have just passed Central Mall on your left. Turn left onto Waldron. Travel to the stop light at the intersection of Kinkead and Grand Avenue. The Stubblefield Center will be on your right.

From I-40, East of Fort Smith Take I-40 to the Van Buren / Fort Smith exit, Exit 7. Do not take the first I-540 Exit to Fayetteville. The correct exit is immediately past the trucking weigh station. Travel South/West across the Arkansas River bridge. Take the Exit 6/Grand Avenue exit. Turn right on Grand Avenue. At the first stop light, turn left. The Stubblefield Center is at the second stop light on the left.

From Hwy 71, South of Fort Smith Travel North on Hwy 71 to I-540 (in Fort Smith). Go right (north) on I-540. Remain on I-540 until Exit 6. Take the Exit 6/Grand Avenue exit. Turn left on Grand Avenue. At the first stop light, turn left. The Stubblefield Center is at the second stop light on the left.

Prior to Ceremony

• Please arrive at 1:15 for the processional line-up at 1:30. Doors open one hour prior to ceremony.

• Do not forget to bring the reader card (announcer reads on stage) that is included with your cap and gown.

• Valuables, such as purses or cameras, should be left with family members or guests. Keys can be pinned to inside of your robe.

• Cell phones should be turned off.

• Graduates line up on the east side of the Stubblefield Center. The marshal for each College will have a banner graduates will line up behind. Those receiving bachelor degrees with honors are first, followed by others receiving bachelor degrees, followed by those receiving associate degrees. Please listen to staff who are assisting the line up.

During the Ceremony

• The procession into the Stubblefield Center will be through the doors on the dock on the east side. The Colleges will process in alphabetical orders: Applied Science and Technology followed by engineering graduates, Arts and Science, Business, Education, and Health Sciences. The graduates will process through an honor guard of faculty.

• The marshal will hand off the College banner and lead the graduates to their seats. The chairs will be in rows with a center aisle. Please move down and fill every chair quickly, even if you have to cross the aisle. Please listen to staff who are assisting in seating. Remain standing until the Chancellor asks all to be seated.

• Diploma covers will be empty.

• Graduates are expected to remain for the entire ceremony. Graduates will recess out the same doors they entered. The ceremony should last approximately two hours.

After the Ceremony

• An Alumni Tent with a gift for graduates will be outside the Stubblefield Center.

Proper Attire

Suggested Attire for Women

• dark dress or pants
• dark low heel or flat shoes

Suggested Attire for Men

• dark trousers, white shirts, tie is optional
• dark shoes and socks

Tassels are placed to the left side of the mortar board, and are switched to the right side after degrees are conferred.

Photographs

A photographer will take photos of each graduate, one before they step on-stage and one as they receive their diploma. Information on ordering photographs will be available at the ceremony. After the ceremony, information will be available on-line at: digiproofs.com/uafs2008

Video

The commencement ceremony will be video taped and aired on Cox Cable, channel 24.

Diplomas

Diplomas are printed approximately 30 days after the semester ends. After printing, student will receive a letter that indicates when their diploma may be picked up or mailed.

Transcripts

To check when a degree has been posted on a transcript, students may access LionsLink and click:

• 'Academics' tab
• 'Student Service & Financial Aid' tab
• 'Student Records'
• 'Academic Transcript'

Click the following link for information on requesting transcripts: Transcripts

Alumni Association

The UA Fort Smith Alumni Association provides many services to UA Fort Smith alumni including networking opportunities, contact with potential employers, and reunion events. For more information, phone 1-800-532-9094 or (479) 788-7920 or e-mail at alumni@uafortsmith.edu.

Future Commencement Ceremonies

Beginning fall 2008, two commencement ceremonies will be held per year, one in spring for spring and summer I graduates and one in fall for summer II and fall graduates.