MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE 134TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
GRAND OLE OPRY ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX
MAY 16, 2008, 10:00 A.M.
Parking and Robing Information
for Degree Candidates, Hooders, and Guests
2009 Commencement Program
The Meharry Medical College 134th Commencement Ceremony officially starts at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the Grand Ole Opry Entertainment Complex. The doors to the Auditorium will open at 8:00 a.m. and no Degree Candidates, Hooders, or Guests will be admitted until the doors officially open. Seating is reserved on the main floor for Hooders only. Seating is unreserved in the upper level for all other family and guests, so it will be first come, first accommodated.
Recommended Arrival Times for Degree Candidates and Hooders
Degree Candidates and their Hooders should arrive at the Grand Ole Opry between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Candidates are strongly urged to arrive at the Grand Ole Opry together with their Hooders. Candidates and Marshals should report to the designated robing rooms. Hooders will be escorted to reserved seats. Only Hooders, 25, 50 year and above Alumni, and Meharry Staff, working on Commencement Arrangements, will have access to the auditorium main floor.
Grand Rehearsal
Grand Rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Please be reminded that Grand Rehearsal is mandatory for all graduates, however, it is open to your guest (hooding & non-hooding).
Attire for Graduates and Hooding Guests
The attire for the Commencement Ceremony is Business. This event will be recorded for future viewing purposes. Regalia must be returned within 1 hour at the end of the program. Diplomas will be issued upon regalia return.
Decorum of Family, Friends and Guests
Meharry staff and ushers are prepared to extend the Meharry tradition of respect and politeness to all our guests. Degree Candidates are requested to ask that family members and friends also be respectful of Meharry staff and ushers as well as the rules established for this event.
Parking
Parking for hooders, graduates, administration, alumni, and guest will be located in the general parking area of the Grand Ole Opry Entertainment Complex at no cost to you.
Parking for Buses
Families who charter Buses (not vans) should use the designated area for buses at Opry Mills Mall. This area is located near the Gibson Showcase.
Guests in Wheelchairs
Non-hooding guests—If you have a family member or guest who is in a wheelchair and is not one of your hooders, then he/she will park in the handicap spaces provided. Once your guests arrive at the Grand Ole Opry entrance he/she will be escorted to a special area of the auditorium for seating.
Baby Strollers, Carriages, Walkers, Carriers
Due to fire code regulations, absolutely No Baby Strollers, Carriages, Baby Walkers, or Carriers will not be allowed on the main floor of the Grand Ole Opry in the Hooders seating areas or the handicapped seating areas. This is a city code that is strictly enforced by the Municipal Fire Marshal on duty at this event.
Designated Robing rooms
Degree Candidates will use the prop area for robing purposes. Areas will be designated for each respective school. To reach the prop area, use the entrance on the side of the Grand Ole Opry House to gain direct access. Directional signage will be provided for your convenience.
Photographs
Hooders will not be permitted at any time to leave their seats to take pictures of any portion of the commencement Program while it is in session. The professional photographers on duty will take 3 photographs of each graduate, you will receive information at the May 13th Grand Rehearsal about how copies of photographs may be purchased and the procedures for ordering DVDs of the Commencement ceremony.
Printable Parking and Robing Information
