CES 2008 Graduation Announcement
Please Note: This information is accurate as can be at this time. Some changes may be made as we draw near the graduation date. Please review this page later for any possible updates.
For All CES Gradautes of All Years
The CES 2008 graduation ceremony is for any and all CES graduates no matter what year they graduated, and it is for any current student who has completed at least 50% of his or her degree program.
Since 1991, we have had graduates at all levels. All graduates of all years are invited to attend and participate in the 2008 graduation ceremony and "walk down the aisle."
Some who graduated years ago have told me that they wished that they had gone through a CES graduation ceremony. Well, now's your chance. Also, others who have gone though one of our earlier ceremonies have asked if they can do it again. Yes, you may. Even if you have gone though an earlier graduation ceremony, you may do so again for the sake of the fun and fellowship.
Since so many of you are scattered all over the U.S. and other parts of the world, it is difficult for many to attend yearly ceremonies. For about the first decade of Columbia Evangelical Seminary, we held yearly ceremonies. However, with so few students graduating each year and with even fewer being able to make it to the ceremonies, it simply was not feasible to continue having one every year. So we decided that we would have one every five years (or so), and all graduates of all years would be invited.
Well, we have now reached that time. Our last graduation ceremony was August 2003.
CURRENT STUDENTS
Also, because we plan to have a graduation ceremony only once every five years, the Board of Regents has decided to extend an invitation to all current students who have completed at least 50% of their particular degree program. Current students will not be receiving degrees. They may, however, participate in the 2008 graduation ceremony and “walk down the aisle” in full regalia (i.e., cap and gown).
All current students who attend will be presented with a "Certificate of Attendance" at the 2008 CES Graduation Ceremony.
They will be able to have pictures taken of themselves in their regalia with other students/graduates and faculty, and they will not have to attend a later graduation ceremony—unless they simply want to.
So, if you are a current full-time student with CES with 50% or more of your program completed (or will be by August), and you would like to attend and participate in the graduation ceremony, you may do so.
All fees apply to you as well as graduating students, with one exception: Current students may simply attend and not participate in the ceremony. If you choose to attend only and not participate, you will not have to pay the graduation fee, but all other fees apply.
DATES
August 22 (Friday night) @ 6 PM: A time of worship, a lecture and light food.
August 23 (Saturday afternoon) @ 3 PM graduation ceremony and @ 5:30 PM, the dinner.
On Friday night, we will gather for fellowship and light food. We will have a time of worship together, and someone will deliver a short lecture. The main thrust of the evening will be getting to know one another and fellowship. It will be casual and informal.
On Saturday, we will have the actual graduation ceremony and later a full dinner. (Each person will buy his or her own meal).
LOCATION
THE SUMMIT CHURCH (an Evangelical Free church) in Enumclaw, WA. The Summit is where CES has its office. The town of Enumclaw is the neighboring town to Buckley, WA. Enumclaw/Buckley are about 45 miles southeast of Seattle, WA. See their web sites at Enumclaw and Buckley.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Dr. Ric Walston will be our commencement speaker this year.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are several reasonable accommodations in the area (I am not vouching for any of them. They are just hotels and B&B's in the area that I am aware of, but I know very little about them). To see what lodging is available, see Places to Stay.
COSTS
All graduates and students participating in the ceremony must pay a $150 graduation fee. If you are a graduate or a current student and you wish to simply attend the ceremony but not participate in it, you may do so for free. There is no fee for attending the ceremony. Also, there will be no refunds. Once you have paid your graduation fees, your funds cannot be returned for any reason.
OPTIONAL SECOND COPY OF YOUR DEGREE
For students who have already received their degrees but would like a second copy of their degree handed to them at the ceremony, there is a $50 charge for the second degree. For those with a degree who do not want an additional copy of their degree handed to them at the ceremony, they will simply receive a Certificate of Participation. If you do want the second degree copy, please be sure to let us know exactly how you want your name to appear on the degree.
Academic Regalia: CAPS AND GOWNS
In the past, CES purchased very basic caps and gowns, and students would then purchase them from CES. However, some students wanted more elaborate Regalia while others wanted just the basics. And, since not all academic regalia look alike nor do they all cost the same, it just became too difficult for CES to continue to purchase the Regalia. Also, since there has been such a proliferation of Academic Regalia business on the Internet, students may purchase their own specific academic regalia much easier than CES can.
Therefore, I will simply list several links below that you can check out and through which you can purchase your academic regalia. The first one, Artneedle, is the one that CES has used in the past. (Please note: CES does not vouch for any of these businesses; we know nothing of them other than they are businesses that sell academic regalia.)
However, you are under no obligation to wear academic regalia for the graduation ceremony. While there will be others in academic regalia, you are not required to wear a cap and gown to go through the ceremony. In fact, if you desire, you may purchase and wear just the hat.
For those who want the CES colors on their Regalia: The CES colors are: Purple, Royal Blue, and Teal. However, it is not necessary that you have the CES colors. It is simply optional. Here are two links to a CES Robe and Hood: Picture one, Picture two.
https://www.artneedlecraft.com
http://www.graduateaffairs.com
http://www.simplyacademic.us
http://www.academicapparel.com/caps/keepers.html
http://www.facultyregalia.com/bachelors.html
http://capsandgown.com
http://www.saxonuniform.com/regalia/index.html
GRADUATION RINGS
If you wish to purchase a CES class ring, you may do so at nearly any fine jewelry store. But, CES has worked with ArtCarved/Balfour, and you can purchase a CES ring through them.
HOW MANY IN YOUR PARTY?
Also, be sure to let us know how many are coming with you. Some of you may want to bring just your spouses, and some of you may want to bring more family and friends. This is not a problem. For logistic purposes, however, we do need to have an exact count of the number of attendees.
NO NURSERY — NO BABYSITTING
If you have little ones that you plan to bring with you, please be aware that there will be no nursery or babysitting provided during any of the graduation events. So, if you bring little ones, be sure to bring someone who will take care of them while you are busy.
Répondez s'il vous plaît (RSVP)
To participate in the CES 2008 Graduation Ceremony, you must respond and prepay your fees by June 1st, 2008. Of course, it is beneficial for us if you respond before that date.
Things To See
Some of you may want to make this a family vacation. Washington state has some great sights that you might want to take in while you are here. Here are a few links that will supply you with some Information about Washington State: Experience Washington and Travel Washington and Go Northwest and Mount Rainier National Park and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Pike Place Market and Seattle
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