In September Larisa Leerkamp will be beadle at our university for two years. A beadle ensures that everything related to academic ceremonies (such as promotions, and inaugural lectures) runs smoothly. And the beadle itself also plays an important role. “It is a unique and special profession. Truly an honour to be able to do this. You are the university's calling card,” says Larisa.
As a beadle, you should enjoy working with people. "Most of the work involves supervising promotions and inaugurations. Eleven promotions and one oration a week, sometimes even more. You meet a lot of different people. I think that is great. On the day of the ceremony, we receive the candidate and paranimals and briefly go through the ceremony together, reassuring them where necessary. Defending your research is a special milestone for PhD students. They have worked hard for four years.
What does a promotion look like for a beadle?
"We have the first promotion of the day at half-past 10. You are a beadle or assistant. We alternate those roles. The assistant receives the committee members, provides access to the gowns and accompanies them to the committee room. The beadle welcomes the candidate."
"Until the ceremony begins, the candidate stays in the 'sweat room'. There they wait - sweating - until they are picked up by the beadle for the defence. It is also the room where all candidates sign their names after being promoted. The walls and ceiling are completely full of them."
"After an hour, I come in exactly at the second and shout 'Hora Est'. Everyone stops talking at once".
"During the defence, the committee members ask questions about the candidate's research. Everything is done according to a timetable. I wear a stopwatch under my robe. The candidate gives the first 15 minutes of the so-called lay talk. During this presentation, the candidate explains the research in a language that everyone can understand. This is timed. After this, the defence begins. After an hour, I come in exactly on the second and shout 'Hora Est'. That means 'it is time'. Everyone stops talking at once. I take the committee along for deliberation, here it is discussed whether the candidate has passed and the degree is awarded."
A lot of administration besides ceremonies
There are four beadles at our university: Marleen, Sibel, Rachel and Larisa. Besides the ceremonial part, a large part of the work at the Office of the Pedelec consists of administrative (pre-) processes in Hora Finita. "Many people do not know that. We record everything related to the PhD project. This ranges from a check for plagiarism to the composition of the committee. Everything must comply with the PhD rules.
Ahead at the Opening of the Academic Year
In addition to promotions, there are orations every week. "Doctors who are appointed as professors hold an oration. That is a lecture on their chair. There is one every Friday."
At the major events of the university, the beadles are also present. They lead the various cortèges inside. "It is very special to be able to do this. We walk with three beadles then. During the opening of the academic year, I walked the cortège with all the student associations. You also have the board and professors' cortège. You line up everyone and explain how and when they are going to walk. We are also present at graduation ceremonies for students," says Larisa.
"So as a beadle you supervise all the different academic ceremonies. You also feel really different when you have your toga on. You are in your role and you are addressed as 'Mrs. Pedel'. It is more than just ringing the staff. But secretly, that's the most enjoyable moment."
