At the request of graduates and parents, the College makes every effort to hold the ceremony in The Dell. Our guests should prepare for that unless otherwise indicated. Only in the case of severely inclement weather will the ceremony be moved to Thompson Gymnasium, with first-come, first-served overflow seating in Leffler Chapel.

There is no reserved seating for our guests in The Dell – family and friends may sit in the designated seating area or use their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on the grassy area. (Please note that seats will be reserved for graduates and faculty members who will process to The Dell at the beginning of the ceremony. Our ushers can direct you to available seating, should you have questions.)

In the unlikely event that the ceremony is moved inside, tickets will be necessary for entry to the gymnasium. Beginning in early May 2009, students should pick up tickets at the Office of Registration and Records. Each student may have up to three tickets for family and friends. At that time, graduates should specify if anyone in their party has special needs, as tickets are available that will allow those guests to be dropped off closer to the venue and provide them with special seating in either The Dell or Thompson Gymnasium.

The Commencement ceremony will be preceded by a continental breakfast in The Marketplace of Brossman Commons from 7 until 10 a.m., to which all graduating seniors and their family and friends are invited.

Important Commencement Updates:

In early March 2009, parents of graduating seniors will be mailed important information about Commencement weekend. All parents who do not receive the brochure by mid-March should contact the Office of Marketing and Communication at
717-361-1410.

Parking Instructions:

Parking instructions will be posted on campus the night before Commencement. As general guidance, please be aware of the following:

Guests of our graduates are welcome to park along College Avenue or Cedar Street or in one of the parking lots around campus, including the lots at the Leffler Chapel and Performance Center, near the Hackman Apartments and near the Brown Building. [Please follow this link to a map of campus that shows the locations of these lots.] Additionally, the pastoral staff of the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren is graciously permitting our guests to use their lot for parking on the day of Commencement. This lot is accessible via Cedar Street.

No parking will be permitted on Alpha Drive or in the loop in front of Myer Hall on Commencement day. Also, parking spaces that are located around the Alpha Administration Building will be reserved for College employees and alumni who will be assisting with the Commencement ceremony, the College’s special guests, and members of the Board of Trustees.

Our special needs guests may park in the lot behind Myer Hall or in any of the spaces on campus that are designated as “handicapped” parking spots. The Myer lot is accessible via Cedar Street.

Representatives of the Media:

For information about Commencement, please contact the College’s Office of Marketing and Communication at
717-361-1587.