About the event

• The departmental event is a smaller, more personal ceremony for our graduates and their families. You will be able to celebrate your accomplishment with your fellow classmates and the English department's faculty. Approximately 375 English and American Literature & Culture majors participated last year.
• The event is approximately 1 1/2 hours long.
• Each student has his/her name called. Second majors, minors, specializations, honors, and awards are also announced as the student walks across the stage.
• Bob Knight Photo will provide professional photography services, allowing students to purchase individual photographs of their special moment. More information can be found at the Bob Knight Photo website http://www.bobknightphoto.com.
• We have one faculty and one English alumni speaker. Our faculty speaker this year is Calvin B. Bedient, Ph.D. Our alumni speaker is Alec Binnie:

  Alec Binnie graduated as an English major with honors from UCLA in 1989. At UCLA, Alec acted as editor of the “Viewpoint” section of the Daily Bruin and, upon graduating, had a brief career in journalism. He then joined the company now known as Ameriprise Financial, where he has worked as a financial advisor for the past 18 years. More recently, Alec has devoted an increasing amount of time and energy to philanthropic efforts, including his local public school system and 826 Valencia, a non-profit writing and after-school tutoring organization. Before enrolling at UCLA, Alec enjoyed a career as a successful amateur figure skater and won medals in both national and international competition, including the first Jack Kelly Sportsmanship Award which was bestowed on him and his skating partner by the US Olympic Committee.

• Most students wear their caps and gowns, but it is not mandatory.
• The Letters and Science Commencement officially confers degrees with all the formalities of a university commencement event. This event does not.

• Participants must arrive to Pauley by 11:30 AM to check in. There will a check-in table located at the north end of Pauley (on the side of the intramural field). You will pick up your name card that has all the information that will be announced when you walk on to the stage during the Celebration.

If you or one of your invited guests requires special assistance to attend the Departmental Celebration, please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for accommodations at the event and parking information. Call Ed McCloskey at (310) 267-2004.