<p>No apologies necessary! :) It's just that I remember listening to EW&F for hours on end in college - nothing wrong with a good cover band, but I sure did like the real band.</p>
<p>Darn! Every time I see this thread come up, I think someone's announcing the Senior Class Day speaker. :)</p>
<p>My d thinks they may announce early next week. I thought they were warming up to it by announcing EW & F, but my d said the administration would probably want to make an announcement like that early in the week to maximize publicity. Fingers crossed for someone exciting.....</p>
<p>To anyone attending commencement - is it a good idea to order the boxed lunches? My d is not a boxed lunch kind of gal. She has actually never eaten a sandwich in her life (don't ask). I thought there was a champagne and strawberries reception after commencement, after which we'd get lunch out somewhere. What are you folks planning to do?</p>
<p>frazzled1,
The box lunches weren't available three years ago and they sound like a good idea. Last time I did this, commencement activities on Friday morning lasted about 3-3 1/2 hours. Everyone processes and listens to the chancellor's speech, etc. and then they disburse all the students from professional and grad school to finish conferring degrees and the undergrads are all presented with their diplomas. It's a fun experience, but it does take awhile and D and I were starving last time while we waited to meet up with S, his girlfriend, and her family for pictures. We went by the strawberries & champagne reception with the chancellor, but I confess - we crashed the neighboring reception for the med school grads to snag a little cheese & crackers and a few crudites. We were invited to a reception for the grads at the home of one of S's best friends who has two parents on the faculty, so that was enough to hold us over. D said some of the sorority houses have a class meal. Hers does and last I heard they were voting on if it would be lunch Thursday, breakfast Friday, or lunch Friday.
On Thursday afternoon some of the departments have receptions for their graduates. One of S's departments had a special reception for their honor degree recipients followed by a reception for all graduates. Open bar with a wide variety of wine, beer, and yummy pick up food.</p>
<p>I think this may be the first time they are doing the boxed lunches. We're not planning to picnic and will go out for lunch...i should prob. make a reservation somewhere!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info and the reminder about reservations! I guess we're looking at several nights for dinner and whatever we decide to do for lunch after commencement.</p>
<p>When my oldest d graduated from a different school, there was a lengthy but very nice ceremony with a processional, speakers, and each department's grads standing to be recognized. Then we all had to race to the individual department ceremonies, when each grad received the actual diploma. Since Vandy recognizes each grad individually (or so I think), I was wondering about departmental ceremonies - and hoping that I wouldn't have to make another mad dash :) .</p>
<p>Can someone speak to graduation procedures? How early to we have to go to get a seat? Do most people out to lunch after or go for an early dinner? Any restaurant recommendations out there? We have always gone out very casually when we visit. Any hints /or tips for the weekend would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I recommend going to the Stockyard restaurant if your graduate or you haven’t been there. It’s kind of off the beaten path for most students, but is a very quality place. </p>
<p>I found a website for it: [Stock-Yard</a> Restaurant](<a href=“http://stock-yardrestaurant.com/]Stock-Yard”>http://stock-yardrestaurant.com/).</p>
<p>This is my second commencement and I can’t tell you exactly what to expect. In 2006 it started pouring rain during The Party and the temperature dropped big time. We still had Senior Day outside on Alumni Lawn (they should begin putting the chairs up in about 10 days as soon as Rites is over). Chairs were filled with water, so plastic and warm clothes were advisable. We had to get there early to clear security because Laura Bush was the speaker and it was a ticketed event. We won’t have to worry about that this year. There is a big jumbotron which will broadcast both Senior Day and Commencement ceremonies, so seating is not critical. 30-45 minutes in advance should get you a good seat on Thursday. Friday is a different story as there are many more participants than just undergraduate families. Also, the university arranges for a photographer and you will be able to order (hopefully) a good picture of your grad shaking the Chancellor’s hand , so you may just want to sit back and enjoy the moment. Chances are that you have paid dearly for it! Senior Day was almost the most touching moment for me as the kids process out the gates and you can watch it on the jumbotron (S’s class was the first to participate in both the Founders Walk in the gates and the Senior Day walk out). They get to set with their friends as opposed to alphabetical order on Friday.</p>
<p>I have been surprised that we have not received the Almost Alumni booklet as of yet. When S graduated it came in late January or early February. It contained details regarding parking (think 25th Street Highland garage), etc. Also details on ordering a dvd of the event which we did in 2006. Because I ordered late and they had extras, the company actually gave me an extra for free. Excellent quality work. Be prepared for a long morning on Friday and BIG crowds. All schools participate in the first 90 minutes and it is a wonderful spectacle with all the academic regalia and banners, Scottish bagpipers, etc. You may want to find out where your child will begin their procession in order to watch them march in. D and I just happened to encounter the BA degree candidates in our seat search and I got to see S make his walk down the “aisle” near Rand. As an academic myself, this was a highlight. After the first 90 minutes or so, there will be an “intermission” of sorts as graduate and professional candidates disperse for their degree confirmation ceremonies at other locations.</p>
<p>D’s sorority is having a lunch following the commencement ceremony (we think) and there is a strawberries and champagne with the Chancellor tent on Bishop’s Lawn after the ceremony on Friday. Dinner reservations for small parties can probably still be made for Thursday night, but D was coordinating a group of 30+ sorority sisters & families a few weeks ago and found most places already booked. So many good restaurants -you should ask your student since it is their special time.
Main tip - bring clothes for a variety of weather options. We started things with short sleeves/shorts type weather in 2006 and very quickly went to chilly weather with highs in the 50s. Comfortable shoes a must and some trash bags to sit on in case of rain stuffed in your purse!</p>
<p>You can download the pdf version of Almost Alumni at the Commencement website (here: <a href=“http://www.vanderbilt.edu/commencement/AlmostAlumni09.pdf[/url]”>http://www.vanderbilt.edu/commencement/AlmostAlumni09.pdf</a> ) Maybe they don’t plan to send a hard copy?</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip about the trash bags I think that might make my list for top 10 most helpful hints Ive ever read on CC. :)</p>
<p>The hotel gods smiled on me last night - I called our hotel to ask a question about the number of people in our room for graduation, and the service rep was able to find a rate $50 cheaper per night for the week we’ll be there! Savings: more than enough for a very nice family dinner on Friday evening.</p>
<p>Getting excited for this very special milestone!</p>
<p>frazzled1,
Thanks for the link to Almost Alumni. You are most likely correct that it is only being published online this year.
After posting the tip about the trash bags I thought some people may think I’m crazy for posting that. I spent my undergraduate years in Lexington, Ky with many semesters scheduled to allow for afternoons at Keeneland. There, if you are lucky enough to have a clubhouse or reserved seat (a rare treat for me), a nice attendant will dust and dry your seat for you as you claim it. You would think Vanderbilt tuition might include this sort of service, at least in terms of dumping the water out of the chairs that are placed outside weeks in advance - no dice!</p>
<p>Just in case I was “slamming” Vandy too much about the dirty/wet seats, they do provide an abundant supply of water labeled for the occasion! My kids made fun of me for keeping an extra bottle of Commencement water as a souvenir for a few months after the occasion!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your tips and advice! I will be sure to bring the trash bags!</p>
<p>have a wonderful commencement weekend…and a memorable time with your seniors, 2VU0609 and Frazzled and lsw!
much to celebrate…</p>
<p>Thanks, Faline. I can hardly believe youngest will be graduating one month from today! Doesn’t seem like it has been that long since I moved the first one into Lupton in fall 2007. If I’m remembering correctly, you have a Duke commencement coming up - good wishes to you as well!</p>
<p>thank you! we will be gathering with elder son’s friends at the Duke commencement, and we are coming to back to Nashville to Vanderbilt with our second son to attend an accepted student day this Saturday… :)</p>
<p>[jonimitchell.com</a> - Lyrics: The Circle Game](<a href=“http://jonimitchell.com/music/song.cfm?id=39]jonimitchell.com”>Joni Mitchell - Circle Game - lyrics)</p>
<p>i hope you have a great visit with S2 this weekend! Good luck and congratulations on S1’s graduation. and yes, life does have a way of going around…(in fla. now, dealing with the medical issues of aging parents…)</p>