Heritage University's commencement ceremony is to be held on the Heritage University Campus, 3240 Fort Road, Toppenish, WA, Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 10:00 am. Graduates participating in the ceremony should arrive no later than 8:30 am giving you time to don caps and gowns, sign in, and line up. You will be able to dress in the Smith Family Hall located in the Arts & Sciences building (behind the large ceremony tent) Room 2386 (follow the signs). Valuables should not be left in this room as it will be unattended during the commencement ceremony. The ceremony will be held in a large canopy tent located in front of the Arts & Sciences building entrance.
Since parking is limited on the Heritage University Campus we have made arrangements for graduating students, and their guests to park at the Yakima Nation Health Clinic, which is located on Fort Road ½ mile west of the stop light on Highway 97. Two "People for People" shuttle vans will be running between the Health Clinic and the University campus beginning at 8:00 am. When you arrive at the Yakama Nation, watch for signs. Please gather at the well marked departure point to catch the shuttle van. You may have to wait a few minutes for a van to be available. After the commencement ceremony a van will again be available to shuttle you back to your cars. You may catch a return trip van at the main parking lot located east of the library building. The pickup point will be clearly marked. Please let your guests know of these arrangements. There is a designated handicap parking area located in the front of the main campus parking lot.
Also, please be aware that saving seating under the canopy is discouraged. (No marking off or reserving seating.) Please inform your family and guests. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
We will have a professional photographer from Grad Images that will be taking photos, which free proofs are e-mailed and mailed to everyone. You will be handed a card with your progression line up order, which needs to be filled out and handed to the Grad Images representative, when requested.
Family members of graduates will be allowed to take candid shots of their graduate from the roped off area provided. Please inform your family to come up only when their graduate is about to receive their diploma, take pictures, and leave the roped off area quickly to allow other people the space to take pictures. Your cooperation will be appreciated by all.
Please join us for refreshments after the ceremony in the Smith Family Hall.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to call Mike Buttrey, Registrar at (509) 865-8505.