Ivy Chain Ceremony

Ivy chainHistory

Ivy Chain is one of the most traditional Commencement Week activities. The first Ivy Chain was held in 1900. As part of the early programs, live ivy was planted near St. Clair Hall and the Ivy Song was chanted. Rose Vespers, and rose notes—the gesture of sending a sentimental note to underclass friends asking them to accept a rose from the graduate after the ceremony was completed—are traditions also associated with Ivy Chain.

The ceremony begins with seniors walking through Rogers Gate and forming a circle on Bass Commons. The circle symbolizes the unity of the graduating class and the continuity of friendships. The traditional greenery draped across the shoulders of the seniors is cut at the end of the ceremony, signifying that although graduates are entering a new phase of life, they will maintain a special bond with Columbia College and their classmates.

Ivy chainEligibility

Ivy Chain is available to all graduating (May, summer or December) seniors from any Columbia College campus. There is no fee to participate in Ivy Chain.

Sign-up

Ivy Chain will be held Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. on Bass Commons. The ceremony will last no longer than one hour. The RSVP deadline is Friday, April 10, 2009. It is important to RSVP so that there are enough ivy and rose notes for all participants. To sign up, call the Campus Life Office at (573) 875-7400 or e-mail Samantha White.

Note: Ivy Chain is held annually in May. If you are a December graduate, you may sign up for Ivy Chain during the spring semester and participate in May. There is no Ivy Chain ceremony in December.

Ivy chainRehearsal

Ivy Chain rehearsal (not mandatory) will be held on Bass Commons on Friday, May 8, 2009 at 3 p.m. You do not need to RSVP for this event. The rehearsal will be completed in time for any of those wishing to participate in the campus tour at 3:30 p.m.

Rain location

In the case of rain, Ivy Chain will be held in Southwell Complex. Notification will be posted on campus, on voicemail at (573) 875-7403 and on Columbia College's home page.