The annual commencement ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 in Welte Auditorium on the campus of Central Connecticut State University, which is adjacent to Charter Oak State College. 

The Student and Alumni Associations will host a brunch at 11:15 a.m.  A reception will follow the ceremony.  Information about the brunch and ceremony was mailed in mid-April to Charter Oak students who have completed or plan to complete degree requirements between July 2006 and May 31, 2007.  Reservations for the brunch are required.  Be sure to make your reservation early because we have had to turn people away in the past. 

If you do not receive the information, contact Gale Terrill at gterrill@charteroak.edu

Honorary Degree Recipients

Diane Smith is the co-host of the Morning Show on WTIC-AM.  Prior to coming to WTIC, she was a news anchor and reporter at WTNH-TV in New Haven, CT for more than 16 years.  She also produces programs for Connecticut Public Television including her popular series, “Positively Connecticut” and has written a book based on that series, which was published in 2000, “Absolutely Positively Connecticut.”

Ms. Smith is active in promoting Connecticut business and tourism; she has been a spokesperson for Easter Seals and women’s health issues; and she serves on the boards of the Women’s Campaign School and IMPAC-CT State University Award for Young Writers.

Ms. Smith has been nominated for an honorary degree because she gives freely of her time to promote women’s issues and a number of health issues.  She also uses her radio program to help promote many events in the Greater Hartford community, contributing to the vitality of the Greater Hartford area.  She is an expert at interviewing and makes the interviews she conducts for her radio program a learning experience.  She is a lifelong learner and her work encourages others to continue learning.

Juan Figueroa is President of the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut. Prior to assuming this position in 2003, Mr. Figueroa served as general counsel for the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund in New York City where he saw the organization through major changes including the addition of a policy unit.  In 1988, he was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly from Hartford and he served his district for five years.

Mr. Figueroa has distinguished himself in his career.  However, most importantly, his life is guided by some of the same values that are important to Charter Oak—access and opportunity.  His work has always focused on access for all whether serving as the head of the Universal Health Care Foundation, working for the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, leading the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund or serving in the General Assembly.  This also characterizes his philanthropic activities.

Your Commencement Ceremony Questions Answered 

What are the Charter Oak State College school colors?
The school colors are green and white.

When will I receive the graduation invitation?
Graduates of July 2006, September 2006, November 2006, January 2007, March 2007 and May 2007 are considered members of the Class of 2007. In April, you will receive an invitation to the graduation ceremony, brunch and reception. The packet will include directions to the ceremony and a reservation card for the brunch.

There is no limit to the number of guests who may attend the ceremony, but the brunch is limited to the first 220 reservations.

What is the “brunch?”
Graduates and their guests will have an opportunity to attend a brunch that begins at 11:15 a.m. the morning of the commencement ceremony.  The cost is $16.00 per person (including the graduate) and seating is limited to 220 graduates and their guests. 
If you are interested in attending, please make your reservations as soon as possible by contacting Linda Larkin at 860-832-3841 or llarkin@charteroak.edu. The reservation deadline is Friday, May 25th.

Where can I stay if I’m coming from out of state?
Charter Oak State College has made arrangements for a special room rate at the Farmington Courtyard by Marriott for those who plan to attend the ceremony.  Mention Charter Oak in order to receive the special $109 per night rate.  You must reserve by May 1st!  For reservations call 800-321-2211 or go to Marriott.  Note:  There is no bus service from the Marriott to CCSU on Sunday, but taxi service is available.

Transportation from Bradley Airport:
Tunxis Cab 860-675-6040 provides 7 day service to and from Bradley International Airport at a cost of $50.  You can make advance reservations and they accept all major credit cards or Airport Taxi Service  860-673-4250A or Valley Cab Co. 860-232-9730.  They also provide local cab service.
Taxi service is also available from ground transportation service coordinators located at counters on the lower level curbside of Terminal A and next to baggage reclaim area two in Terminal B. Taxis are normally available 7 a.m. to midnight. Outside these hours, taxis can be called from airport phones or hailed from the curb outside baggage reclaim.
Bus: Connecticut Transit (tel: (860) 525 9181) runs buses between the Old State House in Hartford and the airport. Valley Transporter (tel: (413) 253-1350) offers a door-to-door shuttle service running hourly from both terminals; desks are located in the baggage reclaim areas of both terminals. Thomas Transport (tel: (603) 352 -5550) also offers a scheduled shuttle service from the airport. For more information on bus services, call the Connecticut Bus Association (tel: (860) 272 9955).
Avis, Budget, Hertz and National are all represented at the airport. The car park is located next to long-term car park 3 and is served by shuttle buses running from the terminals, daily 24 hours.

What about my guests?
There is no limit to the number of guests you may bring to the ceremony and no tickets are required. Your guests should enter the Welte Auditorium through the front doors. We recommend that you ask one of your guests to hold any items you don’t want to worry about during the ceremony such as a purse or jacket.

What is the reception following the ceremony?
After the ceremony, a reception will be held for all graduates and their guests in the ballroom of the Student Center to the right of Welte Auditorium.  At the reception you will pick up your diploma, have a chance to purchase a class ring and other Charter Oak memorabilia and meet Charter Oak staff. Light refreshments will be served.

How do I order my cap and gown?
All students who have had their degrees conferred between July 2006 and March 31, 2007 and those who plan to graduate in May will receive cap and gown ordering information in the mail in March, if they have submitted a graduation application by February 28, 2007.

You must purchase a gown, cap and tassel in order to participate in the ceremony. Caps, gowns and tassels are black. Cost is $18. A $10 late fee is added for attire ordered after the deadline. Cap and Gown Order Form.

What is the deadline for ordering the cap and gown?
To receive the proper size gown, orders must be received no later than Friday, April 13, 2007. There is a $10 late fee for orders received after that date. Cap and Gown Order Form.

Where and when do I get my cap and gown?
Your cap and gown will be sent to Charter Oak State College. You will be directed to meet in the Student Center on the campus of Central Connecticut State University at 12:30 p.m. the day of the ceremony to receive your cap and gown. Please be sure you know whether you are receiving an Associate, Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science degree.

If I earned honors will I receive an honors cord?
Only those students who have a confirmed conferral date between July 2006 and May 2007 and have earned honors will receive a gold honors cord when they participate in the ceremony and will have honors indicated in the program. If you earned honors and will not be able to participate in the ceremony, you may purchase an honors cord for $6.00.

If you choose to participate and HAVE NOT COMPLETED DEGREEE REQUIREMENTS, honors cannot be calculated by the time of the commencement ceremony. If you do participate and have honors confirmed when you complete requirements, the cord will be mailed to you with your diploma. Your name with honors will be included in next year’s program as you will officially be a member of that graduating class and if you request a copy of the 2007-2008 program we will mail it to you next June.

How should the cap and tassel be worn?
The cap should be placed squarely on the top of your head (not the back) and the tassel should be placed to the RIGHT side of the cap.

What if I don’t plan to attend the ceremony; can I order a tassel?

Yes, graduates will have the opportunity to purchase a commemorative 2007 tassel. Cost is $5.00.

Will my name appear in the program?
If you have a confirmed conferral date between July 2006 and May 2007 your name will be in the program. If you choose to participate and HAVE NOT COMPLETED DEGREE REQUIREMENTS, your name will appear in the program ONLY IF YOU INDICATE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR to the June 3rd ceremony that you wish to participate. Your name will also be included in next year’s program as you will officially be a member of that graduating class, and if you request a copy of the 2007-2008 program we will mail it to you next June.

Where is the ceremony held?
The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, June 3, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the Welte Auditorium on the campus of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut (across the street from Charter Oak State College). Directions and a map are included with your graduation invitation.

Where do I park?
Parking is available behind Welte Auditorium, the Student Center and in two nearby parking garages. The parking garage closest to Welte (#40 on the campus map at http://www.ccsu.edu/campus_map/Default.htm) allows easier access to the auditorium and does not require the use of the elevator. It is recommended that students and their guests who have difficulty walking or are wheelchair-bound, park in this garage.

What time should I arrive for the ceremony?
Graduates are asked to arrive at 12:30 p.m. The ceremony commences at 2:00 p.m.

What time is the actual ceremony?
The ceremony starts at 2:00 p.m. SHARP!

What time does the ceremony end?
Between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. Graduation is usually 1.5 hours.

What if I or my guests have a disability?
If you or your guests require special seating arrangements or are hearing impaired, contact Linda Larkin at 860.832.3841 or llarkin@charteroak.edu to make special arrangements.

What about photographs?
The ceremony will be broadcast over the Internet and a professional photographer will also take individual photographs of each graduate.  The proof will be mailed to your home within 5 to 7 days following the ceremony.  You may place orders or obtain answers to questions about the photos at www.chappell.com or 641-472-6892.

The ceremony will be Web cast on the World Wide Web.  This will allow family members or friends who cannot attend, to see you graduate. The link to this real time broadcast will be found on the College’s Web site at www.charteroak.edu.

When do I receive my diploma?
At the ceremony you will receive a diploma cover. If your degree conferral date is May 31, 2007 your diploma will be mailed to you approximately 4-6 weeks following the ceremony.

All other graduates may pick up their diplomas at the reception immediately following the ceremony. Diplomas are distributed by the Charter Oak State College Academic Counselors.

 
How do I get my diploma if I don’t attend the ceremony?
Diplomas will be mailed to graduates (classes of July 2006, Sept. 2006, Nov. 2006, Jan. 2007, March 2007 and May 2007) following the ceremony.

If you do not receive your diploma by the end of June, notify Gale Terrill at 860.832.3838 or at gterrill@charteroak.edu.