Plan on Attending?

If you plan on attending, please click the following link to register your name as you would like it to appear in the official graduation booklet, order your cap and gown/culinary jacket, or nominate yourself/someone as student speaker.

The following is more information about what to expect before and during graduation.

NEXT CEREMONY: Friday, December 17, 2010 (Summer & Fall 2010 graduates)

Culinary Students: If you are attending the ceremony or you just need to order your culinary jacket you MUST fill out THIS form by Friday, November 5, 2010.

All Other Programs: Only if you are attending this ceremony you MUST fill out THIS form by Friday, November 12, 2010.

Faculty: Click the link below to order your regalia.  This form is due by Friday, November 12, 2010.

Dates

There are two graduation ceremonies each year – one for winter/spring graduates and one for summer/fall graduates. Upcoming graduation ceremonies are as follows:

•  Friday, December 17, 2010 (summer/fall grads)

•  Friday, June 17, 2011 (winter/spring grads) • Friday, December 16, 2011 (summer fall grads)

Location

Graduation is held at the historic Pantages Theatre located at 710 N. Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. For more information about the Theatre or parking, please visit http://www.hennepintheatretrust.org/parking/.

Schedule

1:00pm – Rehearsal (mandatory for all students who are walking)

2:00pm – Doors Open (Guests are welcome in the Pantages starting at 1:00pm, but will not be seated until 2:00pm.)

2:30pm – Graduation Ceremony 4:00pm – Graduation Reception in Gourmet Gallery

Cap and Gown Rental and Culinary Jackets

If you are planning on walking at graduation, you MUST order a cap and gown or culinary jacket ahead of time. Cap and gown rentals cost $19.95 and include a tassel that is yours to keep. For Culinary students, jackets are included in your program fee.

Payment for cap and gowns is made when you pick-up your order. Orders can be picked up in the Supply Store (room 001) the week of graduation. You may want to take the gown out of the packaging prior to graduation to get some of the wrinkles out. You will need to return the gown to the Supply Store immediately following commencement.

Photos

Herff Jones Photography (http://www.hjgrads.com/artinstitute/) will be taking two sets of photos during graduation for every student. One will be as you cross the stage and receive your diploma, and the other will be a head shot with your diploma cover right after you exit the stage.

Information on how to purchase these photos online will either be mailed or e-mailed to your information on file with the Registrar’s Office. To change your information please visit the Registrar’s Office in room 203.  Please wait 2-3 weeks to receive this e-mail and letter from Herff Jones.

Flower and Beverage Sale

The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) will be selling flowers at the Pantages Theatre for you or your guests to purchase, with all proceeds benefitting a local charity. Also for your convenience, the Pantages Theatre will be selling bottled beverages (water, soda, juice, coffee) before and during the ceremony.

Guests

The Pantages Theatre comfortably fits 1100 people. At this time we do not have a maximum number of guests per student. If you have a guest that needs special accommodations, the Pantages staff can help seat them before the doors open at 2:00pm.

Student Speaker

Each quarter either one or two students are chosen to speak at graduation on behalf of their graduating classes. Student speakers must be in good academic, financial and disciplinary standing. If nominated, students will be asked to present before the graduation committee a rough draft of the speech they would present at graduation. This presentation will take place three weeks prior to the ceremony.

Portfolio Show

Each quarter, graduates showcase their portfolios and final projects so that family members, friends, Ai Minnesota staff, and potential employers can review their work. All portfolio shows are held from 9:00am-12:00pm the last day of the quarter. The following is a list of upcoming portfolio dates. Location for 2010 portfolio shows TBD.

• Friday, September 25, 2010 – Solera Restaurant, 900 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403

• Friday, December 17, 2010 – Solera Restaurant, 900 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403

If you have questions, please contact the following people:

• Questions about graduation contact Julie Kesterke in Student Affairs at aimngraduation@gmail.com or call 612-656-6892.

• Question about jackets or cap and gowns, contact Barry Rosenman at brosenman@aii.edu.

• Questions about the quarterly portfolio show, please contact Becky Bates at bbates@aii.edu.