Commencement 2013 Graduation Ceremony

Saturday, May 4, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – NoonSteve Wozniak

HPU, Roberts Hall Lawn

Steve Wozniak

High Point University will continue its tradition of bringing motivating and inspirational speakers to campus by featuring Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer Inc. and Silicon Valley icon, as its 2013 Commencement speaker. Steve Wozniak, helped shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products the Apple I, and II, and influenced the popular Macintosh. In 1976, Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer Inc. with Wozniak’s Apple I personal computer. The following year, he introduced his Apple II personal computer, featuring a central processing unit, a keyboard, color graphics, and a floppy disk drive. The Apple II was integral in launching the personal computer industry. For his achievements at Apple Computer, Wozniak was awarded the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United States in 1985, the highest honor bestowed on America’s leading innovators. In 2000, he was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame and was awarded the prestigious Heinz Award for Technology, The Economy and Employment for “single-handedly designing the first personal computer and for then redirecting his lifelong passion for mathematics and electronics toward lighting the fires of excitement for education in grade school students and their teachers.” After leaving Apple in 1985, Wozniak has been involved in various business and philanthropic ventures, focusing primarily on computer capabilities in schools and stressing hands-on learning and encouraging creativity for students.

General Information

The Graduation Ceremony is for High Point University candidates for graduation, their families and guests, and university faculty, staff, students and special guests. It is not open to the general public.

In the event of inclement weather, the Graduation Ceremony will be held in the Millis Athletic/Convocation Center and will be delayed until 9:30 a.m. Due to space limitations in the Millis Center, each candidate for graduation is permitted a maximum of three rain tickets (the graduate and two guests).

Please cooperate as HPU employs heightened security measures due to the prominence of the speaker at the graduation ceremony. Guests may be inconvenienced with additional security checks. Thank you for being considerate and respectful of the ceremony.

Since large crowds are expected for this event, plan to arrive early to find a seat. Guests will be seated on a first come basis.

Handicapped parking will be available in the parking lot behind Roberts Hall. To access the Handicapped parking, please enter campus through University Avenue at Montlieu Avenue.

Please observe the rope barricades and closed areas. Guests are asked to honor requests made by Junior Marshals.

Due to the formality of the ceremony, noisemakers and pets will not be permitted.

Temperatures vary widely in May, so be prepared for various weather scenarios.

Appropriate dress for this event is business attire.

Regardless of the weather, the Graduation Ceremony will be broadcast via closed-circuit television at the Hayworth Fine Arts Center. In the event of rain, the Graduation Ceremony will also be broadcast via closed-circuit television at the Hayworth Fine Arts Center, the University Center Extraordinaire Cinema, and Phillips Hall Francis Auditorium.

Roberts Hall and Wrenn Hall will be closed to the public during the Graduation Ceremony.

Restrooms will be available at Hayworth Fine Arts Center, Slane Student Center, and portable restrooms beside Wrenn Hall.

Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the shuttle service to the Graduation Ceremony. Shuttles will begin running at 6:30 a.m. from Oak Hollow Mall on Eastchester Drive in High Point. The shuttles will make a continuous loop from the pick-up location to the High Point University campus. A map is available online at highpoint.edu/commencement.

Bottled water will be available.

A photographer from GradImages will be on site to take photographs of each candidate for graduation at their special moment of recognition. Prior to the ceremony pre-register your permanent email address by visiting gradimages.com and clicking on Pre-Event Registration. After the ceremony you may order prints online at gradimages.com by calling toll-free at 800-261-2576.

Photographing candidates for graduation during the Graduation Ceremony is permissible. The platform area is restricted and may not be used for photographs. Please be respectful of boundaries; they have been put in place to prevent injury.

First Aid services will be available during the Graduation Ceremony. Anyone in need of assistance should contact uniformed officers or security personnel.

Candidates for Graduation Information

Day undergraduate candidates for graduation must submit a graduation application to the Registrar’s Office by March 15, 2013. Applications are available in the Registrar’s Office and online at highpoint.edu/registrar.

Evening Degree candidates should remit a graduation fee of $85 payable to the Student Accounts Office by April 15, 2013.

Graduate School candidates for spring completion should apply for graduation in the Graduate School by February 13, 2013.

Candidates for graduation must notify the Office of the Registrar if they do not plan to attend the Graduation Ceremony. Any candidate for graduation who is unable to attend the Graduation Ceremony must provide the Registrar a current address so that their diploma may be mailed.