With the number of graduating law students up more than 30 percent over last semester, administration at the Cecil C. Humphreys went looking for a larger place to hold the graduation ceremonies.
This semester, they have decided to hold the ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Holiday Inn at The University of Memphis
“Last semester, the Rose Theatre was wonderful, but our class size this semester required us to find something a little bigger,” said Charles Dewitt, assistant dean of the law school.
Last semester’s ceremony was held in the on-campus theatre, which accommodates approximately 900 people.
For the past few semesters, graduation ceremonies for Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law have moved all around Memphis.
One semester they were at The Orpheum. The semester before, they were at the Mid-South Coliseum. Last semester, the ceremony was at the Rose Theatre, something Dewitt says was very convenient.
“This semester, having the ceremony right across the street should be just as convenient for everyone, especially for parents and guests of the graduates who may want to stay in the hotel,” Dewitt said.
The average student brings 8.5 guests, according to Dewitt. With 120 students graduating this semester, they needed a venue that could accommodate 1,000 to 1,100 people.
Dewitt said ideally, the ceremony would be outside in front of McWherter Library.
“Unfortunately, the way the weather is, it is impossible to have graduation out of doors,” Dewitt said.
The Grand Ballroom, however, will provide a wonderful alternative, said Dewitt. Since the hotel opened last summer, the ballroom has hosted a wide array of events, including U of M sponsored events like men’s and women’s basketball team banquets to a recent Make-A-Wish Foundation banquet, according to Karen Burton, sales administrative assistant at the Fogelman Executive Center.
The hotel location is just so convenient for several reasons, Dewitt said. There is plentiful parking and because of the hotel’s relationship with the school, the cost is nominal.
“We will have to see what happens this year, it really depends on the size of the graduating class,” Dewitt said.
