<p>University of Central Florida marks 1st graduation in new arena</p>
<p>Luis Zaragoza | Sentinel Staff Writer
December 14, 2007</p>
<p>In a year filled with "firsts" for the University of Central Florida, another arrives today as graduation ceremonies take place in the new 10,000-seat arena.</p>
<p>The arena debuted in September and is the home of the school's basketball programs and a Central Florida stop for big-name performers such as Reba McEntire, Bill Cosby and Elton John.</p>
<p>But a roomier home for commencement was high on the list of goals for campus planners as they sketched out the changes that have transformed the campus this year. The arena sits near the new Bright House Networks Stadium and is surrounded by restaurants and shops.</p>
<p>The former site of graduation ceremonies -- the 5,000-seat "old" arena situated behind the new one -- is being refurbished as a practice space for athletic programs.</p>
<p>Another first: Grads will be wearing newly designed caps and gowns featuring UCF's logo. The gowns' colors, however, remain the same: black with gold trim, reflecting the school colors.</p>
<p>DEGREES</p>
<p>Bachelor's: 3,029</p>
<p>Master's: 626</p>
<p>Doctorates: 80</p>
<p>Education specialist: 11</p>
<p>All-time total: 175,000 (approximately) after Saturday's ceremony</p>
<p>CEREMONIES</p>
<p>TODAY</p>
<p>9 a.m.: College of Education, College of Health and Public Affairs, College of Medicine and College of Nursing. Speaker: Walter Komanski, circuit-court judge and UCF alumnus.</p>
<p>3 p.m.: College of Arts and Humanities, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, College of Sciences, Office of the Vice Provost, Undergraduate Studies and Graduate Studies Speaker: Margot Knight, president and CEO, United Arts of Central Florida.</p>
<p>SATURDAY</p>
<p>9:30 a.m.: College of Business Administration, College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Optics and Photonics. Speaker: State Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park.</p>
<p>LOGISTICS</p>
<p>Timing: Grads and guests should get to campus at least 90 minutes before their ceremony begins. Processionals typically begin 20 minutes before ceremony start times.</p>
<p>Parking: Free parking is available in garages C and D and open lots C2, D1 and D2, all near the arena on the campus' north end.</p>
<p>Traffic: Gemini Boulevard will be closed at Alafaya Trail.</p>
<p>Online: Go to registrar.ucf.edu and follow the "Commencement" link. Can't make it to campus? Watch the event at webcast.oir .ucf.edu.</p>
<p>Tickets: Every guest needs a ticket to enter the arena -- and that includes babies! Don't count on extra tickets being available on graduation day. But if any do turn up, they will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at the arena's will-call ticket office one hour before the ceremony.</p>
<p>Got extras? Drop them off at the ticket office.</p>
<p>Can't get a ticket? Guests can watch ceremonies live on closed-circuit television at the Fairwinds Alumni Center across Gemini Boulevard from the arena.</p>
<p>DID YOU KNOW?</p>
<p>Undergraduate and master's-degree candidates will receive diploma covers -- not actual diplomas -- during commencement. They'll get the real deal in the mail weeks later. Doctoral candidates, however, will get to go home with actual diplomas.</p>