Events

Capella University
Commencement and Hooding Ceremonies
August 22-23, 2008
Hilton Hotel and Orchestra Hall
Minneapolis, MN

Project Description
Shannon Pierce of Stagetime Productions led a 20 member Capella internal team to produce the summer commencement ceremony. The commencement was highlighted by 4 separate hooding ceremonies for the PHD candidates on Friday evening, followed by a reception for all 1,800 of the graduates and their guests. Saturday’s commencement ceremony at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis featured a procession of 90 faculty members and 500 graduates led by bagpipers, speeches from the President and Alumni Director, a keynote address and the conferral of degrees.

Project Details
    • Communication and correspondence to all graduates
    • Flights and reservations for 80 faculty members
    • Event plan containing room blocks, catering details and event logistics with the Hilton Hotel for 500 attendees and their guests
    • Scripting for hooding ceremonies and commencement ceremony
    • Three contiguous hooding ceremonies at the Hilton Hotel and one at Orchestra Hall, including line-up, processional, content and AV
    • Commencement ceremony at Orchestra Hall
    • Musicians for the ceremonies, a band for the reception and ASL interpreters
    • A live web cast of the commencement ceremony
    • Management of all outside vendors

Outstanding Accomplishments
    • Came in 6 weeks prior to Commencement and led the team to a successful event
    • Planned the first separate Hooding Ceremonies on Friday evening
    • Production value and execution of the event was considered the best to date
    • Internal Planning Committee was very happy with the process and outcome of the event