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byline   Date: 5/13/09 Bookmark and Share

Smith College Commencement 2009, By the Numbers

During Smith’s annual commencement weekend, a contingent of staff members have their heads full of numbers: how many folding chairs to order, how many lunches to prepare, how many graduation gowns to have in stock, how many alumnae will visit campus.

To give an idea of the numbers we will deal with during Smith's 131st commencement, we at the Gate have compiled this reference.

7,200  folding chairs set up in the Quad

11,800 folding chairs rented for the Quad and ITT (in case of rain)

300 extra tables rented for campus

1,641  alumnae registered to be on campus for reunions

438 alumnae guests who will visit campus with them

4  classes returning (1944, 1959, 1984 and 1999) for first reunion weekend
           
11  classes returning for second reunion weekend (1934 to 2004)

2,178  meals requested by alumnae during reunion weekend

4 out of 19 alumnae from the first engineering class to graduate from Smith (2004) registered to attend reunion

1,400 rice paper lanterns lit for Illumintion (in good weather)

600 nylon lanterns lit if it rains

500-700  candles lit during the senior candle-lighting ceremony

360 feet—length of the ivy chain ( actually mountain laurel) carried by Junior Ushers during Ivy Day Parade

40 junior ushers to carry the ivy chain

44 banners to be carried by graduating seniors and graduate students during  commencement procession

83 faculty members marching during commencement
           
3  emeriti marching in the commencement procession

5  marshals leading the commencement procession      

27  people seated on stage during commencement (not including faculty)

2 podiums on commencement stage

 

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