President’s Committee on Commencement (PCC)

Committee Membership and Description:
The President’s Committee on Commencement (PCC) executes the Drake University Commencement ceremonies. The committee may recommend policy or procedural matters to the President. The University Marshal chairs the PCC. The committee will meet at least once per semester and as called by the University Marshal or University President.

The goal for Drake’s Commencement ceremonies is to have the right combination of: Substance, Pomp & Circumstance, Joy, Brevity, Celebratory, Respect and Sincerity. Traditionally, graduates have been viewed as a community of learned women and men who are the focus of the ceremony.

Members of the PCC include the Assistant and Faculty Marshals, two students (the Student Body President and a designee of their choice) and individuals or office representatives who work directly with any portion of the ceremony or events held during Commencement Weekend. The voting membership is the faculty serving as Marshals, the two students, Registrar, Assistant Registrar, University Events Manager and President’s Office Designee.

Brief History
As the Alumni & Development division moved away from holding specific Alumni Commencement Weekend Events; their direct membership on and relationship to the PCC has moved to the as-needed basis. With the creation of the University Events Office, participation on the PCC by Athletics facilities personnel has decreased.

Note: the Faculty Manual (Section 2.65) articulates how Marshals are selected.

The number of persons or offices involved in the PCC has varied and has been fluid over the years. The PCC began functioning in 1971. At its beginning, the President’s Committee on Commencement was chaired by the Assistant Vice President for Educational Services and the members of the committee were appointed directly by the President.

Current President’s Committee on Commencement Membership:
o University Marshal
o Assistant Marshals
o Faculty Marshals
o Registrar
o Assistant Registrar, Commencement
o University Events Manager
o President’s Office Representative
o Student Body President and designee

Additional Office Representatives:
o University Communications
o Law School (due to separate ceremony)
o CPHS (due to separate ceremony)
o SOE (due to PhD & EDD hooding)
o University Bookstore
o ITS
o Music Department Chair
o Public Safety