Graduation is an important day that signals the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It is a time to celebrate the achievements of your past, while looking forward to all the opportunities that await you in your future. It is also a time to thank the friends and family who helped you get where you are today.
Commencement ceremonies are typically held in sports stadiums, amphitheaters, parade grounds or lawns and are accompanied by speeches, presentations and music. A typical ceremony begins with an address by the university president or vice-chancellor, and recognition of professors, graduates, students and their families. Following this are usually several smaller ceremonies – called the diploma ceremony – at various sites on campus where the deans or faculty of each college, school, academic program or department give their graduating students their degrees.
For a fun, interactive party theme, create a photo booth and decorate it with graduation props like caps, playful glasses or word bubble/caption signs. Set up a backdrop with the graduate’s name or year for picture-perfect photos that they will treasure forever.
Themed party decorations are a great way to show your graduate how proud you are of them and their accomplishments. Deck out their room or front door with balloons, silly string and poster board signs congratulating them on their big day to make it an extra special welcome home after the ceremony. Or, set up a car-decorating station where guests can decorate cars with personalized signs to greet the grad on their way in for a fun and unique graduation celebration.