Faculty Participation:
Faculty Hooder | Academic Procession | Roving Marshals
All University of Pittsburgh faculty members are invited to participate in the university–wide Winter Commencement Ceremony. As official witnesses to the conferring of degrees, faculty play a vital role in the success of the ceremony.
Faculty may participate in the Commencement Ceremony in one of several ways: as Faculty Hooders for Doctoral Candidates (via doctoral candidate request), as members of the Academic Procession, as a General Audience Member, or as Roving Marshals during the ceremony.
Faculty Hooders for Doctoral Candidates:
Faculty Hooders for Doctoral Candidates (“Hooders”) are faculty who are specifically asked by doctoral candidates to attend the ceremony and participate in it. Hooders will sit with their doctoral candidate during the ceremony and will go on stage with the candidate and hood them. It is an honor to be asked to be a Hooder, and we encourage all faculty who are asked to please consider attending as their schedule allows.
Hooders are designated on the doctoral candidate’s ceremony registration form, and additional details will be provided to the Hooder by the Office of Special Events prior to the ceremony. Personal regalia is required to participate.
Academic Procession / General Audience Member:
Faculty who would like to participate in the Academic Procession process out onto the Petersen Events Center floor at the beginning of the ceremony and are seated next to the stage for the duration of the ceremony. Personal regalia is required to participate.
To participate in the Academic Procession or to attend the ceremony as a member of the general audience, complete the Registration form by Thursday, December 5.
Roving Marshals:
Roving Marshals (“Rovers”) are responsible for directing all movement of the platform party, the academic procession, and all graduation candidates throughout the entire ceremony, along with assisting on stage as needed during the ceremony. Rovers are very active and on their feet throughout the ceremony. Regalia is required and is provided for Rovers by the Office of Special Events.
For more information or to participate as a Roving Marshal, complete the Roving Marshal Registration form by Monday, November 25.
What training is provided, and what does the day of the ceremony look like for Rovers?
- The Chief Roving Marshal will provide all Rovers with written instructions and specific roles for each Rover before the day of the ceremony so that you can familiarize yourself with your role and the event overall.
- On the day of the ceremony, Rovers are typically asked to arrive 3 hours prior to the start of the ceremony for an in-person training.
- The Chief Roving Marshal will review your written instructions, along with provide a detailed walk-through of everyone’s roles and responsibilities during the ceremony. This walk-through takes place on the floor of the Petersen Events Center, allowing the Rovers to familiarize themselves with their roles.
- Lunch is provided the day of the ceremony inside the Petersen Events Center for all Rovers. Details for this will be provided to you via the Chief Roving Marshal.
- The Rovers duties are over at the end of the ceremony.