Information for Faculty

Lead Marshals

The dean of each academic college has appointed a Lead Marshal to share information and facilitate communication between the Office of the Provost, Commencement Committee and the faculty and administration of their college.

Lead Marshals

• College of Business & Economics: Plamen Peev, Ph.D.
• College of Education: Ocie Watson-Thompson, Ph.D.
• College of Fine Arts & Communication: Thomas Cascella, MFA
• College of Health Professions: Vicky Kent, Ph.D., RN, CNE
• College of Liberal Arts: Martin Roberge, Ph.D.
• Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics: Darush Davani, Sc.D.

Special Role Faculty Members

There are several special roles faculty members fulfill during the university’s commencement ceremonies each spring and winter. An overview of the roles and responsibilities is provided in the Faculty Special Role Descriptions resource.

spring 2017 Grand marshals

The Grand Marshal leads the procession of university faculty and graduates while carrying the mace, a ceremonial symbol of authority and independence. Grand Marshals are typically the longest-serving faculty member at the university or in an academic college, and it is considered to be a great honor to be selected for this role. 

• College of Business & Economics: Thomas Maronick, Ph.D.
• College of Health Professions: David Zang, Ph.D.
• Fisher College of Science & Mathematics: Honi Bamberger, Ph.D.
• College of Liberal Arts: Victor Fisher, Ph.D.
• College of Education: Diane Wood, Ph.D.
• College of Fine Arts and Communication: Sandy Nichols, Ph.D.

Before the Ceremony 

• Faculty members who would like to be part of the processional should contact their lead marshal (listed above). 
• Faculty members who are participating in the procession are required to wear regalia. Academic Regalia can be purchased or rented from the University Store.  The online regalia rental site will be available shortly.
• Faculty members planning on participating in future commencement activities may choose to purchase a cap and gown for continued use. Faculty interested in purchasing their own academic regalia may do so by contacting Ruth Evelyn Schmidt in the University Store at 410-704-4621.
• Faculty members will be sent a commencement parking permit by their lead marshal prior to the ceremony. 

Day of Ceremony 

• Processing faculty members should arrive 75 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. 
• Limited parking for faculty participants will be available in Lot 21 (see Commencement Parking map). Please note that faculty members parking in this lot must display a commencement parking permit to park in this area.  
• Additional parking will be available in the Union Garage. Shuttles will run between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. between the Union Garage and the Towson Center/SECU Arena. 
• Upon arrival, processing faculty should report directly to the faculty robing area (Towson Center, Room 117). If picking up rental regalia, please visit the University Store's regalia station located near the entrance of the faculty robing room. 
• College lead marshals and commencement staff members will be available upon arrival to check faculty in and assist with robing and processional instructions.  
• After checking-in at the robing room, faculty members are encouraged to visit the student robing room, which is located nearby in the Towson Center gymnasiums (staff will provide directions to this area if needed). 
• All processing faculty members will need to line up for the processional into SECU Arena 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
• The Commencement procession will begin with the students at the stated ceremony start time. Faculty process after the students and just before the President's party.