Be a Commencement Volunteer!
The Georgia Tech Commencement Office is looking for enthusiastic faculty and staff who want to take part in one of the biggest days for Georgia Tech students.
Volunteering for Commencement is a fun and gratifying experience to help make a graduate’s day a great one. This website is a resource for all Commencement volunteers, providing event updates and other volunteering tips.
Commencement Volunteer Registration
Fall 2023 Commencement Volunteer Schedule
Friday, Dec. 15 Ceremonies
Morning Ceremony
9 – 11 a.m.
Doors open at 8 a.m.
Volunteers report to McCamish Pavilion by 7:15 a.m.
Ph.D. Graduates
Afternoon Ceremony
2 – 4:30 p.m.
Doors open at 1 p.m.
Volunteers report to McCamish Pavilion by 12:15 p.m.
Graduates from the:
Master's College of Computing
Bachelor's Ivan Allen College
Bachelor's College of Design
Saturday, Dec. 16 Ceremonies
Saturday Morning Ceremony
9 – 11:30 a.m.
Doors open at 8 a.m.
Volunteers report to McCamish Pavilion by 7:15 a.m.
Graduates from the:
Master's Ivan Allen College
Master's College of Design
Master's Scheller College of Business
Bachelor's Scheller College of Business
Bachelor's College of Sciences
Bachelor's College of Engineering
Saturday Afternoon Ceremony
2 – 4:30 p.m.
Doors open at 1 p.m.
Volunteers report to McCamish Pavilion by 12:15 p.m.
Graduates from the:
Master's College of Sciences
Master's College of Engineering
Bachelor's College of Computing
Commencement Volunteer Instructions
- Parking:
- Commencement volunteer parking is only available for Saturday volunteers. Commencement volunteer parking passes will be emailed to Saturday volunteers the week of the event.
- Volunteers will need to print out the parking pass to place on their car's dash while volunteering.
- Friday volunteers are encouraged to park in their assigned campus parking location.
- Email Jillian Cruser if you need special accommodations regarding parking.
- What to wear:
- Business casual.
- No red.
- Comfortable shoes.
- Volunteers will receive:
- An "Ask Me" button.
- Volunteer lanyard.
- A Commencement FAQ sheet.
- Some volunteers might receive a radio for event communications.
- Volunteer report times:
- Friday Morning Ceremony- 7:15 a.m.
- Friday Afternoon Ceremony- 12:15 p.m.
- Saturday Morning Ceremony- 7:15 a.m.
- Saturday Afternoon Ceremony- 12:15 p.m.
- Volunteers will report to the Volunteer Room- Media room when they arrive.
- Volunteers will be dismissed from the volunteer room once each ceremony begins.
Volunteer Training Resources
McCamish Pavilion Tour
Monday, Nov. 27
1 - 2 p.m.
McCamish Pavilion
Take an in-person McCamish Pavilion Tour to get to know more about each volunteer role and its location. This tour will help volunteers know more about where to go on Commencement day.
Volunteer Q&A
Monday, Dec. 11
1 - 2 p.m.
McCamish Pavilion
This in-person event will showcase another tour of McCamish Pavilion. This meeting is a great time to ask any last minute questions to help volunteers get ready to volunteer for Commencement.
How to Prepare to Volunteer
Commencement is a fun and celebratory event. The following points will help you prepare for your volunteer shift:
- Attend the McCamish Tour – this events will happen twice before Commencement weekend begins. A meeting outline will be available on the Commencement Volunteer webpage after the tours.
- Attend the Volunteer Q&A – this in-person event will announce any relevant event updates and answer any last-minute questions that volunteers may have. There will also be another tour of McCamish Pavilion.
- Check emails and the Commencement website regularly – all assignments will be emailed to volunteers several times before the event. Event announcements will also be located on this website.
- Dress for the role – Commencement volunteering is an active role. Comfortable shoes are encouraged.
Volunteer Position Descriptions
Volunteers will be assigned to one of the following roles. Roles will be sent to volunteers before the ceremony. Volunteers can provide information regarding special accommodations when filling out the Volunteer Form. Volunteer shifts last about two and half hours long.
Graduate Court Movement Management
This exciting role will help guide students from their seats, on and off the stage, and then back to their seats. This volunteer shift is about two and a half hours long. Court management volunteers have the unique opportunity to witness graduates experience the moment they have been waiting for since their first day at Georgia Tech.
Interior and Exterior Guest Services
Commencement Concierge volunteers will provide exceptional customer service to guests. Whether it be pointing guests to their seats, answering their questions, or handing out Commencement programs, these volunteers will assist our guests with a smile.
Graduate Entrance Directional Assistance
Graduates are always excited to arrive to McCamish Pavilion for their special day. Volunteers will help manage line traffic, make sure each graduate is wearing regalia, and they have their grad pass in order to participate in the ceremony. All graduates must be wearing the correct regalia when attending their assigned ceremony.
Graduates who are having Grad Pass issues should be sent to the Troubleshooting Tent on the Zelnak Atrium.
Ph.D. Hood Distribution
Located in the Zelnak Atrium, volunteers will pass out Ph.D. hoods to Ph.D. candidates as candidates enter the stadium. These hoods are gifted to the Ph.D. candidates from the Office of Graduate Studies.
Honor Cord Distribution
Located in the Zelnak Atrium, this volunteer will help pass out honor cords before the bachelor's ceremony along with representatives from the Office of the Registrar. Graduates will receive their cords before they arrive on the field.
Graduate Guest Services
Graduate line management volunteers will be located starting in the Zelnak Atrium and along the path graduates will take to get to the court. Volunteers will manage the line and make sure graduates are in regalia as this is required to participate in Commencement. Only graduates are allowed on the court.
Grad Pass Troubleshoot Table
Students participating in Commencement are issued a Grad Pass before their designated ceremony. Students are told to bring their Grad Pass to their ceremony. This role will assist a representative from the Office of Special Events and Protocol. This volunteer's goal is to help graduates resolve issues they may be having with their Grad Pass before the ceremony begins.
Graduate Seating Assistance
Sections of the court are assigned to a specific Georgia Tech college. Each volunteer will be given a sign indicating the college's section. Volunteers will be given a map showing where each college is located on the field. This role will help students find where they need to sit for their ceremony and make sure that students are sitting when the ceremony begins.
Preshow Special Event Assistants
This role assists the Institute Communications Social Media team with the Commencement Preshow. Duties may include finding graduates to be interviewed and any other task the Social Media team assigns them to.
ADA Seating Assistance
Many of our graduates have loved ones who require special accommodations when attending Commencement. This volunteer will help guide guests to their assigned ADA seating throughout the pavilion. These volunteers will be located in the stands before the ceremony begins.
Volunteer Room Assistance
All volunteers will arrive to the McCamish Pavilion Media room before they report to their assigned volunteer role. This volunteer will assist their teammates get ready for their assigned volunteer shift. This includes assisting volunteers with putting on their headset, answering questions, getting the room ready for the next ceremony.
Volunteer Q&A
Where can I find more Commencement information for faculty and staff?
More information can be found on the Commencement Faculty and Staff webpage.
Where will I be able to park if I volunteer for Commencement?
Volunteers are asked to park at their assigned parking area for the Friday ceremonies. Designated volunteer parking will only be available for Saturday volunteers. Volunteers will be emailed parking instructions and a pass to be printed, and displayed on the car's dashboard.
Email Jillian Cruser for special accommodations if you need a parking spot closer to the venue for Friday ceremonies.
My student is graduating this semester. Where can I point them to get more Commencement information?
Volunteers can find more information for students on the Commencement Student page.
Will lunch be provided?
Lunch will be provided only for volunteers who are helping with both ceremonies on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
What time do I have to arrive?
Volunteer shifts last around two and a half hours. Volunteers will receive an email two weeks before Commencement weekend, along with their volunteer assignment.
What if I can no longer make my shift?
Volunteers who no longer can attend their shift will have to notify Jillian Cruser via email as soon as possible.
Who will be my contact during my volunteer shift?
Each volunteer role reports to a volunteer lead. Volunteers will meet their volunteer lead when they report to the volunteer room. Volunteers will be able to ask questions to their volunteer lead with their radio. Radios will be given when volunteers report to the volunteer room.
Can I bring in food or water?
Water bottles will be available to volunteers in the volunteer room. Volunteers are allowed to bring food into the volunteer room as well. We ask that volunteers bring as little personal items as possible in order to keep the volunteer room organized for the event.
Can I indicate which volunteer role I prefer to be assigned to?
Volunteers can indicate which volunteer position will fit them best when filling out the Volunteer at Commencement form. Special accommodations can also be listed on the form.
How long should I expect to volunteer?
Each volunteer shift lasts around two and a half hours.