2021 University Commencement Update

Dear May 2021 University Commencement participants,

We know you are excited about walking across the commencement stage, and we assure you that we are continuing to plan for multiple in-person University Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 22, and Sunday, May 23. We are holding multiple ceremonies to allow for appropriate social distancing.

We are still waiting for guidance from Virginia officials regarding the numbers of guests we can accommodate at each ceremony. Of course, this information will affect the scheduling of the individual ceremonies, as well as the number of guests each graduate can bring, so those decisions have not yet been made. We do know that the ceremonies will be held by school so that classmates can walk across the stage together. We anticipate notifying graduates of which day each school’s ceremony(ies) will be held later in March, and expect to have final decisions about ceremony times and guest attendance ready to share in April.

We are optimistic that the combined effect of COVID-19 vaccination; continued COVID-19 surveillance testing for the university community; and an enduring dedication to mask wearing, hand washing, physical distancing and symptom checking will allow for a safe, in-person University Commencement for all involved.

We can’t wait to celebrate your achievements this spring,

Adrienne Bloss, Ph.D.
Provost
Shenandoah University