Celebration of Excellence
JOIN US IN THE MULLINS CENTER FOR THE 2024 CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE
2024 Celebration of Excellence
Thursday, May 16, 2024
6:30 p.m.
Mullins Center
During the convocation ceremony for Commonwealth Honors College seniors and their families, each graduating senior is called by name and presented with an Honors College gold stole. One graduating Honors student is selected to pay tribute to their peers and their accomplishments. The event precedes the UMass Amherst Commencement.
Information for Graduates
Date:
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Time:
5:30 p.m. – Graduates must arrive for event and security check in
6:30 p.m. – Ceremony starts
Location:
Mullins Center, UMass Amherst
Attire:
Graduates wear their cap and gown
Registration:
Seating for guests is open and there is no limit to the number of guests.
Mullins Center Security
Please be aware of security measures in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. All guests and graduates will be required to walk through metal detectors when entering the venue. To expedite this process, we ask that guests remove cell phones from their pockets and encourage patrons to avoid bringing bags to the facility. Purses, diaper bags, and other small personal bags are allowed but will be inspected at all entrances. Outside food or beverages, weapons of any kind, and tobacco products are not permitted inside the arena. The Mullins Center website has a full list of prohibited items.
NOTE: There are separate entrance doors and security walk-throughs for guests and graduates.
- Guests only: All doors at the main (north) Mullins Center entrance (only); all other doors on the concourse will be locked.
- Graduates only: Use the outside staircase to the right of main (north) entrance doors at the Mullins Center. Once you have signed in and picked up your photography card, go through security, find your School/College’s area inside the Mullins (the corridors around the arena floor) and wait there.
- If you have your white Marching Order card, or a picture of the card on your phone - proceed directly to security
- If you don't have your white Marching Order card, or have lost your card, please proceed to the tables under the tent. Look for alphabetical signage by last name.
Parking
- Park in lots 25 or 12 which are adjacent to the Mullins Center or in the parking garage (Parking Services has a map of all campus parking).
- Accessible parking is available. More details are on the Mullins Center website.
Gold Stole Presentation
After being seated, you will be called to approach the stage.
When your row is called:
- Leave your hat/mortarboard at your seat (your gold stole will not fit over it).
- Bring your Marching Order card with you.
- Following the directions of the marshals proceed, row by row, (from the outside) to one of the ramps on the side of the stage. There will be two awarding lines going at once; one from each side of the stage.
- At the bottom of the ramp, a CHC Advisor or faculty member will help you place your own stole over your head and onto your shoulders.
- The photographer will take your picture with your stole on.
- Proceed up the ramp to have your card scanned.
- Once you reach the center of the stage, turn and proceed carefully down the stairs at the front center of the stage and return to your seat via the center aisle.
Processional
- At the conclusion of the Celebration, the Platform Party and faculty will go out first.
- Wait for the usher to release your row and then follow them up the aisle.
After the Event
- Meet your guests outside at the entrance to the Mullins Center. If you choose to reenter the building, you will be required to walk through metal detectors again.
2023 Celebration of Excellence
2022 Celebration of Excellence
Celebration of Excellence 2022 Photos
Photos by Will Kraft `24
2021 Virtual Celebration of Excellence
Celebration of Excellence 2021
The 2021 Honors Convocation was a virtual event in recognition of Honors graduates and their families that took place on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.
2020 Virtual Celebration of Excellence
The 2020 Honors Convocation was a virtual event in recognition of Honors graduates and their families that took place on Thursday, May 7, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.