Plan on Attending?
If you plan on attending, please click the appropriate icon below 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 or someone as student speaker.
The following is more information about what to expect before and during graduation.
NEXT CEREMONY: Friday, June 15, 2012 (Winter 2012 & Spring 2012 graduates)
Culinary Students: Please register by Friday, May 4, 2012 to ensure that your culinary jacket arrives in time for your culinary show and graduation.
All Other Programs: Please register by Friday, May 11, 2012.
Faculty: To order your regalia, please complete the form below by Friday, May 11, 2012
 Winter 2012 Culinary Graduates
|
Spring 2012 Culinary Graduates |
 Winter/Spring 2012 Graduate Registration Form
|
 Faculty/Staff Regalia Form |
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, June 15, 2012 (Winter/Spring 2012 grads)
- Friday, December 14, 2012 (Summer/ Fall 2012 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
12:00pm- Graduates can begin checking in at the Pantages Theatre in preparation for rehearsal.
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 – Winter/Spring 2012 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 $16.95 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 place your order online. Orders can be picked up in the Student 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 cap and gown immediately following commencement in the lower level of the Pantages Theatre.
Photos
Grad Images (http://www.gradimages.com/) will be taking three sets of photos during graduation for every student. One will be right before you proceed on stage, the second will be as you cross the stage and shake hands with the President, and the third 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 wait1-2 weeks to receive correspondence from Grad Images on how to purchase photos.
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.
- Friday, March 23, 2012 – Solera Restaurant, 900 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
- Friday, June 15, 2012 – Solera Restaurant, 900 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
If you have questions, please contact the following people:
- Questions about graduation contact Rob Anderson, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, at rfanderson@aii.edu or call 612-656-6835.
- Question about jackets or cap and gowns, please email aimngraduation@gmail.com.
- Questions about the quarterly portfolio show, please contact Becky Bates at bbates@aii.edu.