Experience Tulane commencement behind the scenes
Behind the scenes of the Tulane Unified Commencement Ceremony, there are roughly 300 staff volunteers ensuring the big day for graduates is a memorable one.
Those volunteers gathered recently for the annual Commencement Volunteer Luncheon to ignite excitement surrounding the 2018 ceremony taking place Saturday, May 19, in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
“The purpose of the luncheon is two-fold,” said Aryanna Gamble, assistant director of marketing and commencement chair designate. “It provides an opportunity for us to thank the volunteers who work with us regularly and to encourage new volunteers to sign up.”
Commencement volunteers, affectionately known as Krewe du TU, were treated to lunch in the Jill H. and Avram A. Glazer Family Club in Yulman Stadium on Thursday, March 8. This year, they will serve in a variety of capacities including guest relations and student lineup, a highly important task when there are more than 2,500 graduates to be seated.
Allison Hjortsberg, assistant director of marketing and commencement guest relations coordinator, used her experience as a 2017 graduate to share just how important the roles of volunteers are to students.
“I got to see firsthand the difference you all make from the student perspective,” said Hjortsberg. “The graduates really do appreciate all that you do to make things run smoothly.”
Assistant director of public relations and student lineup team coordinator Roger Dunaway recognized individually the many departments that have made commencement volunteering an annual tradition for its staff.
“Thank you all for your time and support,” said Dunaway. “It means the world to us and we know it means the world to our graduates.”
To join the Krewe du TU visit the Commencement Volunteer website.
