University of the Sciences in Philadelphia


2009 Graduation/Commencement

This page last updated 4/21/2009. Check back often for updates

Wednesday, May 20th 2009

Mann Music Center for the Performing Arts
5201 Parkside Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131

 

Commencement Rehearsal

Tuesday, May 19th 2009 at 1pm
Mann Music Center for the Performing Arts

Caps and gowns will be distributed upon arrival at rehearsal. Caps and gowns are for students to keep.

Everyone will receive ten(10) graduation announcements, and eight (8) graduation admission tickets in early April.

Breakfast Reception

10:00-11:30 am Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
USP Campus - Wilson Hall and McNeil Science & Technology Center

Breakfast reception for graduates and their families

Commencement Ceremony

1:00 pm - Mann Music Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia

  • Admission tickets Required.
  • Gates open to ticketed quests for seating at 12:15 pm sharp.
  • Graduates report to Gate "A" 12:30 pm sharp

Important notes about the Mann Music Center:

  • Balloons are not permitted on Mann Center Premises
  • Ample parking available. Parking costs are TBD ($10/car in prior years)
  • The Mann Center is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Photography

Photographs may not be taken during the commencement ceremony. USP will provide a photographer to take photos as each graduate receives his/her diploma and shakes hands with President Gerbino. These photographs will be mailed to the student's home address.

Free family photographs are available for USP Legacy Families.

Invitations, Announcement Cards and Admission Tickets

Graduates will receive a formal invitation to commencement events, via US mail. Please make sure we have your current mailing address prior to April 1st. A mailing address update form is available from the Registrar's office.

All graduates will receive 10 announcement cards and 8 admission tickets for the Mann Center. These may be picked up at your respective College office the week of April 7th.

"Lawn seating" tickets are available to graduates needing additional tickets. While seating is in chairs, the area is not covered. Request lawn seating tickets from your Dean's Office no earlier that May 1st.

International Guests

International students may have family members overseas who need a Visa to enter the United States to attend commencement. USP Dean's office can provide a letter of invitation with appropriate details needed for documentation.

Special Assistance

USP will have a special assistance team available on Commencement Day at the Mann Music Center.

Improved Accessibility at The Mann Center

Recent renovations of The Mann Center have made it more accessible for patrons. The main parking lot, box office, and main gate are all now in the middle level of the house where the handicapped seating is located. The concessions and plaza level have been renovated for better handicap accessibility.

Parking for patrons with a valid handicap license plate or other authorized identification is available near the new main gate and at the top of the hill. Patrons may also be dropped off in front of The Mann Center box office.

Special Seating

Reserved special seating is available for persons using a wheelchair. Please contact us.

Hearing Impaired Guests

Please contact us if a guest is hearing impaired and requires assistance.

Visually Impaired Guests

We are happy to accommodate visually impaired guests with seating closer to the stage. Please contact us.

Graduates with Disabilities

Please inform us if you are unable to walk up or down stairs or are visually or hearing impaired. We can make arrangements to accommodate you and enable you to participate in commencement activities.

For all special assistance requests and for more information, contact Cathy Mini at c.mini@usp.edu,

USP Legacy Families

A Legacy is an alumnus or student in a family with one or more generations of USP/PCP graduates (living or deceased). This includes alumni and students who are related by marriage.

If this describes your family, please join us for free family photographs at the USP Legacy Society Reception on Wednesday, May 20th, 2009, 10-11:00 a.m., 2nd Floor, Wilson Student Center. This reception will be held in conjunction with the Breakfast Reception (see above.)

Participants will receive a USP Legacy Society photo frame. Photographs will be featured in the summer edition of the USP Bulletin.

Please email us to let us know if you participate. We'll need to know your name, and the names of other legacy family members who will be photographed. Contact: p.mcnelly@usp.edu.

All graduates and families are welcome to attend.

USP Bookstore

To the Class of 2009 ….. 

Just 28 days and counting ….. until Commencement day! 

I hope you have received your invitation to the Graduates’ Dinner along with the commencement activity schedule. It was sent via US mail to your address on file early last week. If you haven’t received it, please contact me with an updated address! 

Our Barnes & Noble Bookstore has been receiving calls inquiring about class rings, diploma frames and USP apparel, so for your convenience, they will have scheduled a Graduate Open House on Monday and Tuesday, April 27 and April 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will provide refreshments.  You’ll have an opportunity to pick up a brochure on the various jewelry items available and see the various diploma frames they have in stock. 

If you are unable to join us on those dates, please feel free to stop by the bookstore Monday thru Fridays from 9am to 5pm or

Contact Jenn Smrekar, Bookstore Manager, at 215-596-8850 or email:  j.smrekar@usp.edu

USP Bookstore

http://uspbookstore.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/BNCBHomePage?catalogId=10001&storeId=56552&langId=-1&level=1

Class Rings: Herff Jones

http://extranet.herffjones.com/college/rings/index.cfm?event=processSchoolForm

Diploma Frames: Framing Success

http://www.framingsuccess.com/framing2/showplin@ELEVATOR.FXP?sessionid=2N20LMV36