People at the Conferment of Degrees Ceremony
Marshals
Marshals are assistants to the Master of Ceremonies and the Head Marshal. Marshals carry out various tasks, such as guide guests, stand honorary guard or watch at the doors. They help ensure that the Conferment Ceremony goes according to plan. Marshals usually work in pairs.
Marshals can be identified by the marshal's band, which must be kept in immaculate condition. The marshal's band is usually blue and white. The marshal's band, just like any other academic band, is worn from the right shoulder down to the left by men, and from the left shoulder down to the right by women. At the Conferment Ceremony marshals wear black (full-length) clothing. Marshals do not eat or dance wearing the band. Marshals' must also wear their student cap.
Gratista
The Gratista is a newly graduated Master, chosen from faculty and Conferment Committee nominees. The Gratista contributes to the organising of the Conferment Ceremony in collaboration with the Coordinator of the Conferment Ceremony, the Conferment Committee and the Masters' and Doctors' Committee.
Earlier the gratista was in charge of the Ceremony's finance and budget. Because of this work, she/he didn’t have to pay participation fee.
From the Latin word gratis = without charge, free.
Master of Ceremonies
The Master of Ceremonies leads the Conferment Ceremony procession and makes sure that all the festivities go according to plan.
The Master of Ceremonies during the Conferment Ceremony 2023 was professor Timo Sajavaara (Faculty of Mathematics and Science).
Head Marshal
The Head Marshal trains and supervises the marshals working at the Conferment Ceremony. The Head Marshal also personally welcomes important guests and especially looks after Honorary Doctors.
The Head Marshal in the Conferment Ceremony 2023 was Academy Research Fellow Elina Sillanpää (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences).
Conferrer of Degrees
Authorized by the University, the Conferrer of Degrees solemnly confers the degrees on the Promovendi. The Conferrer of Degrees is usually the Faculty's or University's Professor with the most years of service. If s/he cannot attend, another Professor will be asked to perform this duty.
For the Degree Ceremony in 2023 the Conferrer of the Degrees was professor Outi Merisalo (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences).
Ceremonial Garland Weaver
On Flora's day, May 13th, the Masters' Committee chooses a Ceremonial Garland Weaver, usually a daughter or a son of a Professor at the University. The Degree Ceremony Committee asks for the Ceremonial Garland Weaver's consent beforehand.
The Ceremonial Garland Weaver then asks earlier Ceremonial Garland Weavers to instruct her on the needed knowledge and skills during a special evening party. The Garland Weaver instructs the garland weavers at garland Binding.
Honorary Doctor
The faculties of the University award honorary doctorates to persons with meritorious work for the benefit of society or science.
The University has previously awarded honorary doctorates to President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö, professor Alvar Aalto and President of the Republic of Finland Martti Ahtisaari among others.
Primus Master
Primus Master and Doctor, Ultimus Master and Doctor
The highest ranking Master and Doctor are called the Primus/Prima, and the second highest Ultimus/Ultima. Before conferment, the Primus Masters and Doctors demonstrate the knowledge and skills of the Promovendi by answering the Ceremonial questions, posed by their Professors. Once the answers have been approved, the conferment may begin. In the Act of Conferment Primus Master and Doctor are conferred first and ultimus Master and Doctor last.
Promovendus / promovenda
Promovendus/promovenda
The Master or Doctoral candidate upon whom a Degree is to be conferred in the Conferment Ceremony.
Jubilee Master / Jubilee Doctor
The title of Jubilee Master or Doctor is conferred upon those who took part in the Conferment Ceremony 50 years ago.
Committees
Two committees are responsible for organizing the Degree Ceremony, the Conferment Committee and the Masters' and Doctors' Committee.
The Conferment Committee is mainly responsible for organizing the Conferment Ceremony. The committee is composed of representatives of university’s faculties and the conferment officials. The committee is led by Conferrer of Degrees.
The Masters' and Doctors' Committee is responsible for organization of garland binding and sword sharpening dinners. The committee is composed of promovendi and the gratista.
Official
At the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥, the conferment officials are the Conferrer of Degrees, the Master of Ceremonies and the Head Marshal.
From the Latin word Officium = position, duty, service, obligation
Garland weaver
Master promovendi's companions are called garland weavers.
Jubilee Garland Weaver
Jubilee Garland Weaver is a Garland Weaver who took part in the Conferment Ceremony 50 years ago.