Pictures of Commencement 2007

Commencement Convocation Address 2007 by Adam K. Levin

Commencement Speaker 2008

John G. Hanhardt has a long career devoted to representing film and the media arts in museum exhibition, collection and archival programs. He began his career at the Department of Film at the Museum of Modern Art and went on to establish the film program and film study collection at the Walker Art Center. In 1974 he was appointed Curator and Head of the Film and Video Department at the Whitney Museum of American Art where he directed the New American Film and Video Series which featured independent film and video art as well as commissioning art projects and expanding the museum’s collection to include video installation art. In 1996 he joined the Guggenheim Museum as Senior Curator of Film and the Media Arts developing its international exhibition program as well as video installation art collection. Since 2006 he has been Consulting Senior Curator for Film and Media Arts at the Smithsonian American Art Museum where he is developing exhibitions, collections and archives in film and the media arts.

Among his many exhibitions are Re-Visions: Projects & Proposals in Film and Video (1979), Nam June Paik (1982), Yoko Ono: Films (1989), Andy Warhol’s Video and Television (1991), the film and video selections for the Whitney Biennials from 1975 to 1995. At the Guggenheim Museum he organized exhibitions in New York, Bilbao and Berlin. Among his exhibitions are Bill Viola: Fire, Water, Breath (1997), The Worlds of Nam June Paik (2000), as well as commissioning Bill Viola’s large scale video installation Going Forth by Day (2002), and Shu Lea Cheang’s internet art project Brandon.

Hanhardt has organized many conferences addressing the diverse histories of film and media art practices. In addition he has lectured and taught at many colleges and universities.  He has published extensively contributing to catalogues and journals as well as editing the influential anthology Video Culture: A Critical Investigation (1986).

Hanhardt holds a Master of Arts in Cinema Studies from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rochester.        

Student Information

If you anticipate graduating in May 2008, you must submit a diploma application.  The diploma application is available online, beginning December 15th through March 15th at this address.

What if I still need one or two classes to graduate?

Students who do not complete all degree requirements by the end of the Spring 2008 semester will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.   If you have taken courses outside of Rutgers, make sure that you have had all official transcripts forwarded to the Office of the Dean.  If you have any questions regarding your status, please contact the Office of the Dean at 732-932-9360, x503. 

Where do I obtain my regalia?

Regalia can be obtained from two places, The University Bookstore, on Albany St. (across from the train station) and The Douglass Co-Op (located on Douglass Campus).  Regalia should be available beginning April 15th.  Please inform your vendor, that you are from Mason Gross.  You will need to purchase a black gown, black cap and black tassel.  Academic regalia is required if you plan to attend the ceremony.

What time do I need to be at the Nicholas Music Center for the Commencement?

If you are planning to take part in the commencement ceremony, you should report to Rehearsal Hall no later than 2:00 p.m.  Rehearsal Hall is adjacent to Nicholas Music Center on the Douglass Campus.  You will receive all instructions at that time.

Is there a rehearsal for commencement?

There will not be a rehearsal for students.  All necessary information will be relayed to you when you report to Rehearsal Hall.

How many guests can I invite to the ceremony?

Each student is entitled to receive two (2) tickets to the ceremony at Nicholas Music Center. 

Can’t I please obtain more tickets?

An overflow room (Rehearsal Hall) is set up to accommodate an additional 200 people and an additional two (2) tickets are available for this venue.  However, tickets for Rehearsal Hall are on a first-come, first-served basis. 

How do I get my tickets?

Tickets will be available for pick-up in the Dean’s Office, beginning Monday, May 5, 2008 through Friday, May 9, 2008.  Tickets that have not been picked up by the 9th of May, will be distributed to those students who have placed their name of a wait list.  (Students may request to be added to this list at the time they pick up their tickets).

What if I have elderly/handicapped guests attending the ceremony?

Accommodations can be arranged for guests who need special attention.  Students should contact Barbara Zujkowski at barbaraz@masongross.rutgers.edu if your guests cannot walk up or down steps, are in a wheelchair, etc.  In addition, there is handicapped parking located by Nicholas Music Center for those who have official handicapped permits.  Again, it is on a first-come, first-served basis.  However, guests can be dropped off at the main entrance if all handicapped parking is full.

What time should my guests arrive at the Nicholas Music Center?

We will open the house at approximately 1:45 p.m.  There is no reserved seating.

Parent Information

How do I get to Nicholas Music Center?

Directions to Nicholas Music Center are available at the following website:  http://maps.rutgers.edu/building.aspx?id=227.  Due to construction on the Douglass Campus, please allow ample time to get to the ceremony.

What can I bring with me?

This is a very busy event and space in the seating area is limited.  With the exception of flowers and balloons, the event staff will not monitor nor be responsible for personal items.  In addition, please be aware that there will be a security check-point for all students and guests.  The less you bring, the less they have to check, and the quicker everyone gets in and gets seated.

Where do I park?

There are several lots where visitors can park located by Nicholas Music Center.  They are lots 79, 79A and 74 (Old Gibbons).  Go here for parking information.

What time do I need to be there?

We will open the house for seating at approximately 1:45 p.m.

Why don’t my tickets have seat numbers on them?

Seating for the ceremony is general admission.  This means seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can we sit near or with our graduate?

No.  All guests are seated in the Mezzanine area.  Graduates are seated in the Orchestra area.

How long will the ceremony last?

The ceremony generally lasts approximately 2 hours depending on the number of students graduating and the speakers. 

What is the overflow room?

The overflow room is a room set up in Rehearsal Hall where additional guests can watch the ceremony on a live video feed on  a large screen.  A separate entrance to Rehearsal Hall, Room 104 is located behind Nicholas Music Center next to the walking bridge.  All tickets for this room are clearly marked with “Rehearsal Hall, Rm. 104”.

Will the Invitation/Announcement admit me to the ceremony?

Invitation/Announcements are given to the student as a courtesy.  They are not tickets.  Access to the ceremony is limited to ticket holders.  Tickets are distributed to graduating students.

Can we bring an infant or small child?

All infants and small children should be able to sit quietly, or you will be asked to leave the ceremony.  Please make arrangements for child-care if your infant or small child cannot sit quietly for 2 hours.

Do I need a ticket for a lap-sitting infant or small child?

Due to code regulations and the safety of all in case of emergency, every person entering the seating area of the theater must have a ticket.  No exceptions.

Will additional tickets be available at the ceremony for last minute guests?

No.  Please do not bring extra guests for which you do not already have tickets.

Are there water fountains or vending machines?

Water fountains are located in the lobby of Nicholas Music Center.  A vending machine is located next to the entrance to the walking bridge and Rehearsal Hall, Room 104.

Can I bring food, beverages or bottled water into the ceremony?

No.  Food or beverages are not allowed in Nicholas Music Center.

Can I take pictures?

Yes, you can take pictures.  However, we ask that you be aware of students and others and not obstruct the aisles or block the view for someone else.

Can I bring flowers or balloons into the ceremony?

Yes, but flowers and balloons are a viewing obstruction to other patrons.  We will not allow them in Nicholas Music Center seating area.  If you care to label them with the student’s name, they can be left in the lobby until after the ceremony, where you can retrieve them.

Can I meet my graduate in the seating area after the ceremony?

It is respectfully requested that families and friends arrange to meet each other at the reception outside Nicholas Music Center.  The seating area closes directly after the ceremony ends.

Where are the restrooms located?

Restrooms, including a handicapped accessible restroom, are located in the lobby of the Nicholas Music Center.  The lobby will remain open for ½ hour after the ceremony ends.

Additional non-handicapped restrooms are located on the second floor of Rehearsal Hall over the Main Ticket Office entrance.

Is there a payphone?

A payphone located diagonally across Bettenbender Plaza from Nicholas Music Center entrance outside the Main Ticket Office.

Where can I smoke?

In accordance to New Jersey state law, smoking is not allowed inside any of our buildings.  You may smoke outside Nicholas Music Center.

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