December Sendoff

Known for its intimacy, Cornell's "December graduation" begins in Barton Hall at 10 a.m. Saturday with only a fraction of the May commencement fanfare.

Thirty-six ILR students are eligible this year to participate in the 11th annual recognition event for January 2014 graduates.

They will be among hundreds from across the university "walking" in December, rather than in the more traditional May event at Schoellkopf Field.

In rented caps and gowns – no fee for undergrads, but master's candidates pay $20.50 and Ph.D. candidates $70 to rent regalia – they will proceed two by two to folding chairs arranged in neat rows in front of a stage backed by a drape of red.

Red-coated ushers will oversee seating.

Cornell President David Skorton will address the graduates, then each will be called by name to the stage to shake hands with Skorton and their college dean. Doctoral candidates will be hooded by the Cornell Graduate School dean.

On the other side of the stage curtain, a pop-up coffee reception for guests and graduates begins as soon as the ceremony ends at about 11:15 a.m.

The ceremony can be viewed online at www.cornell.edu/video. A link will be posted before it starts Saturday.

The 75-minute event will mark completion of Cornell educations for hundreds of men and women who will receive their degrees by mail after Jan. 27 – the conferral date on their diplomas.