The Margaret Bundy Scott Field House has served as the site for the annualcelebration since 1989. It will again be made ready in the event of inclementweather, but the primary site for this ceremony will be Steuben Field.
"This ceremony is an academic celebration for students, and students have beenpersuasive in expressing their overwhelming preference for the outdoor site,"said Tobin. "We believe we can maintain the dignity of the ceremony andprovide the necessary accommodations for our guests who need specialassistance, just as we have done in the past."
Tobin said the change will require that two sites be set up. In making theannouncement, he recognized the extraordinary effort required to stage such anevent and praised those who have made past commencements so memorable.
"We are fortunate to have people with the talent and dedication to be able toprepare such a wonderful send-off for our graduates," Tobin said. "Thecoordination for a celebration of this magnitude is extraordinary. While Irecognize the extra effort required for an outdoor ceremony, I know ourstudents will be deeply grateful to those who are responsible for staging theevent."
The Baccalaureate service on Saturday, May 24, will also be held outside, onthe Main Quadrangle near the Burke Library. In the event of inclement weather,the service will be moved indoors to the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House.
Nearly 5,000 people attend commencement and 1,000 attend baccalaureate eachyear at Hamilton. Tobin said the changes being made for next spring areintended for all subsequent commencement and baccalaureate ceremonies in theforeseeable future.
