2024 Meadows Degree Recognition Ceremony
Gene and Jerry Jones Grand Atrium & McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
Instructions for Graduates and Families
Saturday, May 11, 2024
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Reception hosted by the Dean in the Gene and Jerry Jones Grand Atrium for all graduates and their families and guests.
Gene and Jerry Jones Grand Atrium and Plaza
Owen Arts Center
6101 Bishop Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75205
Meadows School of the Arts, SMU
Check-in tables will be set up in the Jones Grand Atrium where you will pick up your ceremony credentials card which will include an assigned seat number in Caruth Auditorium. CHECK YOUR NAME AND ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS. If there are mistakes, report them to Chuck Donaldson, Diana Miller or Janet Stephens who will be near the check-in tables. Changes to your credentials card not made by Meadows Academic Services staff can be cause for delay of the ceremony and judicial action.
Retain your credentials card! It must be in your possession until you hand it to the reader as you cross the stage during the ceremony. There will be no replacement cards available.
During the reception, step inside the Meadows Foundation Gallery adjacent to the Jones Grand Atrium. Here you will find one of many great locations throughout the arts center for those cherished graduation day family snaps. We do have to limit each student to six photos on the staircase, to ensure everyone gets a chance to capture memories.
3:30 p.m.
Graduates: Proceed to your assigned seat in Caruth Auditorium and remain there quietly until the processional begins. Retain the credentials card. It will be read by the student reader as you walk across the stage to receive your diploma cover.
Guests: Proceed to McFarlin Memorial Auditorium and be seated. 6405 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205
3:35 p.m.
Dean Holland and Associate Dean Smith give instructions.
3:45 p.m.
Processional to McFarlin Memorial Auditorium begins. Please do not leave anything in Caruth Auditorium. Under the marshal's direction, you will exit Caruth Auditorium row by row. It is important that you do not deviate from your assigned march order. You will exit the building through the east doors and proceed to McFarlin Memorial Auditorium.
4 p.m.
Processional into McFarlin Memorial Auditorium begins. Continue to follow your marshal to your seat in McFarlin Memorial Auditorium. Fill every seat. Remain standing until directed to be seated.
For the presentation of graduates, your Chair/Director will ask you to rise. Your Student Marshal will lead your group to the stage and be first to receive their diploma cover. As the graduate in front of you receives their cover and shakes hands with Dean Holland, hand your card to the reader and immediately start walking toward Dean Holland while your credentials card is being read.
A professional will photograph you as you cross the stage and after receiving your diploma cover. Color proofs and ordering information will be mailed to the address listed on the back of your credential card. Please notify your family of these arrangements.
Continue across the stage to be congratulated by your Chair/Director and by Associate Dean Smith. As you leave the stage, you will be handed a small gift and have your photograph taken once again. Proceed down the north side steps and back into the Auditorium to your seat. There will be Meadows staff members along this route to direct you.
Congratulations!
Additional Information
Food and drinks are not allowed in McFarlin Memorial Auditorium. Smoking is not allowed in any building on campus.
Accessibility
Owen Arts Center is accessible from Bishop Blvd to Jones Grand Atrium and Plaza on the east, from Harris Promenade to Rogers Center for Visual Arts on the north and from Hillcrest Ave and Sexton Family Courtyard on the west.
McFarlin Memorial Auditorium is accessible from a ramp entrance at the southeast corner of the building marked with signage for wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, or carts. This ramp leads to the lower lobby, with access to any level of the Auditorium via the elevator. The Auditorium has differently abled accessible seating areas with limited space at the back of sections B and D on the orchestra level. Please email meadowsops@smu.edu by Tuesday May 7 to reserve space in these sections.
Inclement Weather Plan
Bring an umbrella and wear appropriate footwear, as we will still be processing to McFarlin Memorial Auditorium from Owen Arts Center.
Questions
Contact the Meadows Operations and Events Office at 214-768-2713 for questions regarding planning, location of ceremonies, parking, accessibility and all other non-academic questions related to graduation.
For any academic questions contact the Meadows Academic Services Office at 214-768-2754.