Duke Economics

Graduation Ceremony Guidelines

The EcoTeach Center and the Faculty of the Department of Economics are pleased to invite all graduating undergraduate economics first majors and their guests to join in a Graduation Ceremony & Reception on Sunday, May 13, 2012 in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Please note that we will include economics M.A. and Ph.D. recipients in the event. 

The Reception will run first, on the floor of Cameron, beginning as soon as the University's Wallace Wade Ceremony ends, which is typically around 11:30am. Lines will be set-up on the floor of Cameron so that guests may pick-up their refreshments as they make their way to ceremony seats.

The Economics Ceremony will begin as soon as all guests are seated and no later than 12:00pm. We anticipate that the Ceremony will last about one hour, and will definitely conclude no later than 2:00pm. Invitations will be mailed to the families of our graduates by mid-January 2012. Questions can be emailed to  or call 919-660-1817 and leave a message.

View a map of how Cameron will be set up for the event.

Diploma and Seating Information

Diploma and Name Card Pick-up (applies to Undergraduates and MA students ONLY)
Prior to our Ceremony start, all graduates must visit the diploma and name card tables that will be located at the back of Cameron on the 1st floor. There will be signs directing students to these tables, so please look for them as you enter.  Fall 2011 and September 2012 graduates should also go to the diploma tables to pick-up their Name Card. Students should keep their name cards in their possession and bring them to the stage during the Recognition Ceremony. The card will be used to read names and degree as graduates cross the stage.

Graduate Seating & Ceremony Participation 
The middle two sections of floor seating will be reserved for graduates. Students may sit within the reserved seats wherever they would like and do not need to sit in a specific seat or in alphabetical order**. Please remain seated for the duration of the Ceremony (except for the trip to the stage to receive diplomas). Students should not sit with their guests.

**HONOR Graduates who will receive honors will have reserved, alphabetical seating at the front of the floor seating (on the right hand side). Honors students, please remember to sit in your reserved seats as you will be called up separately to receive your diploma. 

Graduates will be well cued by an usher when it is time to rise and ascend to the stage to receive their diplomas. We will process the first aisle (both sides) first, then the second, etc. Graduates will ascend the stage by the stairs at stage left.

GRADUATES MUST TAKE THEIR NAME CARD WITH THEM TO THE STAGE.

Each graduate will be cued when it is their turn to walk across the stage as their name is called. A professional photographer will take a picture at the foot of the stairs. Please pause here for a photo and then return to graduate seating.

Guest Seating
Ample open seating is provided for guests on the second floor of Cameron. As these seats offer the best sight lines to the stage, we recommend sitting upstairs when possible. Reservations for seats on the floor of Cameron to accommodate guests who may have difficulty ascending to the second floor (Cameron does not have an elevator), can be made by going to our event registration website at http://public.econ.duke.edu/rsvp/view-events.php, emailing or by calling (919) 660-1817. Please include the graduate's name, number of guests attending and the number of floor seats required (if applicable).  Reserved seats will be marked with flyers indicating "Reserved for the Graduate's Name Family," and we will try to seat your entire party together when possible. Ushers marked with corsages and nametags will be on hand to assist with any seating issues.