The Commencement ceremony concludes with President Leo Lambert's exclamation of “long live Elon," but from the start, the celebration is characterized by tradition unique to the institution.

Prior to the ceremony, Lambert meets in Jordan Gym with the graduates, already dressed in their gowns, and the commencement speaker.

“It’s a time for them to have a few minutes with the commencement speaker more up close and personal,” said Sandra Fields, assistant to the president.

Following the gathering in the gym, the graduates line up behind the faculty and begin walking toward the ceremony. The Platform Party, which consists of the president, the speaker, the individuals who read the names of the graduates, the chaplain, the provost and the person who sings the national anthem and school alma mater, exit Powell and follow the Class of 2012 to the side of West Residence Hall. The entire group exits through the front and onto the stage, which has been arranged for commencement, walks along the sides and take their respective seat. The Platform Party arranges themselves on the stage.

The chaplain places the Elon Bible on the stage as well. The inclusion of the Bible is specific to Elon, according to Fields. The Price family of Burlington presented the Washburn Bible to Elon University in honor of their sons who belonged to the Class of 1969.

“It’s carried because the institution was founded by the Christian Church,” Fields said.

The Elon University Mace, the staffs, the gonfalons and international flags are also present symbols at the commencement ceremony, depicting the character of the institution.

The international flags represent the native countries of the members of the Class of 2012.

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Intercollegiate Code of the Academic Regalia

White: arts, letters and humanities Drab: business Rust: economics Light blue: education Brown: fine arts Crimson: journalism and communications Purple: laws Lemon: library science Pink: music Dark blue: philosophy Golden yellow: science Citron: social sciences Scarlet: theology [/box]

Elon’s graduation ceremony is unique in that all names are read and all real diplomas are given, Fields said.

The graduates’ exit from the commencement ceremony is significant as well and mirrors students’ departure from the convocation ceremony, signaling the beginning of their time at Elon, she said.

Graduates walk out from under the oaks between two rows of faculty.

“This is symbolic of your beginning and your ending,” Fields said.

Students that have not collected their cap, gown and cords can pick them up at the campus book store, according to Susan Patton, senior associate registrar.

Furthermore, rain tickets can be collected before Friday in Alamance 109. Students receive two rain tickets and can give them to any two guests in the event it rains.

Graduates can access the commencement schedule on OnTrack, which includes information regarding times and seating.

“Everything is traditional in that it is always done that way,” Fields said.