While every commencement season is special, there’s something extra this year – Shenandoah’s celebrating for two. Two years, that is – both 2020 AND 2024.
Shenandoah’s pulling out all the stops to make sure that the festivities that students may have missed as they graduated from high school in 2020 – due to the pandemic – are doubly fun four years later. Shenandoah President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., promised this class back at New Student Convocation in 2020, that their graduation would be something extra special. Now, that promise is coming true.
Check out what’s planned!
Friday, April 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room
The Office of Inclusion and Diversity is also hosting Shenandoah University’s first Lavender Graduation Ceremony during the Diversity Achievement Dinner this year. A Lavender Graduation is a ceremony to recognize and honor graduating LGBTQ+ students and allies, and acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the university. For more information, contact Dahlia Ashford at dashford@su.edu.
Tuesday, April 23 | 8-10 p.m. | Village Apartments Common Room and Lawn
Let the graduation countdown commence with a celebration that includes music, wine, beer, soft drinks, and light refreshments! There will be a group photo for 2020 high school graduates at 8:30 p.m. 2024 graduates must register by April 15 to attend this event. For more information, contact Dahlia Ashford at dashford@su.edu.
April 23 – May 18 | Brandt Student Center and around campus
Cap off your special moments at SU at our selfie sites designed for graduating students. Whether you’re celebrating your achievements or saying goodbye to your alma mater, our picturesque locations and fun props provide the perfect backdrop for your selfies and group photos. Special props will be available for 2020 high school graduates. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create lasting memories with your friends. Keep an eye out for pop-ups on sunny days and be prepared to strike a pose at Shenandoah’s most Instagram-worthy spots using #ShenandoahGrad! For more information, contact Holli Phillips at hphillip@su.edu
Wednesday, April 24 | 6-8 p.m. | Wilkins Athletics & Events Center
Graduating students are invited to register to compete against Shenandoah’s faculty and staff members in a “friendly” game of indoor volleyball. The game will be played 6 v 6 and will be officiated by intramural sports referees. All students, faculty, and staff who are interested in participating will have the chance to put their names into the drawing to play. Participants must be available the entire time, 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24. The Athletics & Events Center will open at 5:30 p.m. for players to warm up. Anyone interested in participating will need to complete the participation interest form by Friday, April 12. For more information, contact Matt Levy at mlevy@su.edu.
April 27 | 10 a.m. – Noon | Habitat ReStore (443 Millwood Ave)
Graduating students are invited to give back to the community with a service project hosted by the Center for Civic Engagement. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore will have cleaning and organizing projects for us to do to better help this amazing organization serve our community by providing affordable housing. Sign up to give back to our community at this event! For more information, contact Rebecca Gibson at rgibson@su.edu.
April 30 | 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room
The 2024 Grad Fair will take place in the Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room, on Tuesday, April 30, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The Grad Fair is a one-stop shop for students who are eligible to participate in 2024 University Commencement. Regalia packages will be available for pickup for those who ordered by the March 25 deadline and selected “pick up on campus” as the delivery option. Herff-Jones will be on-site to answer questions about graduation announcements, class rings, ordering regalia (for ship to home option), etc.
Soon-to-be graduates will be able to connect with representatives from various offices across campus. You can address last-minute graduation application questions with the Registrar’s Office, discuss student financial items with Student Financial Services, explore services available to you from Career & Professional Development, and learn about opportunities available for you as a Shenandoah graduate from Alumni Relations. GradImages (the official outside photographer for commencement) will provide information about pre-ordering official commencement photos. Supplies for cap decorating will also be available while they last.
Questions? Contact commencement@su.edu.
Wednesday, May 1 | 6-8 p.m. | Pruitt Health and Life Sciences Building, Halpin Rotunda
Want to make sure your cap stands out at graduation? Join us for decorating, inspiration, and reminiscing in the Cecil Pruitt, Jr. Health & Life Sciences Building, Halpin Rotunda, on Wednesday, May 1, from 6-8 p.m. Bring your supplies, we will bring our supplies, and let’s make your cap as individual as you are! Also, bring your resume and a photo of your planned interview outfit to get professional feedback from Career and Professional Development in one last look before you head out on interviews! For more information, contact Kristy Fedyk at iyc71@su.edu.
Saturday, May 11 | 8-11 p.m. | Wilkins Athletics & Events Center
Spend “A Night Under the Stars” at Shenandoah’s third annual Spring Formal dance on Saturday, May 11, from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center (WAEC)! All undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend. Two complimentary drink tickets will be provided for attendees over the age of 21; picture ID required. Tickets for students, faculty, and staff of Shenandoah University are free and may be reserved through this Google form. There will be a special high school graduating class of 2020 dance during the formal for those who were not able to participate in their high school prom. Students may bring up to two guests outside of Shenandoah. Tickets for outside guests are $5 each. Faculty and staff may bring one guest for $5. A shuttle will run through main campus residence halls from 6:30-11:30 p.m.; parking will be available in Lot W. For more information, contact Autumn Pryor at yyf90@su.edu.
Monday, May 13 | 9-11 p.m. | Allen Dining Hall
Enjoy a delicious breakfast spread served to you by Shenandoah’s faculty and staff the night before finals on Monday, May 13! Whether you come alone or bring all of your friends, good vibes, free food, and music will be waiting to get you pumped for finals week. For more information, contact Alex Johnson at alexandra.johnson@su.edu.
Thursday, May 16 | 4:30-5 p.m. | Wilkins Athletics & Events Center
Graduates signed up to walk in the 2024 University Commencement ceremony have a walkthrough on Thursday, May 16, at 4:30 p.m. in the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center. For more information, email commencement@su.edu.
Thursday, May 16 | 5-7 p.m. | Buzzy Plaza
Celebrate your upcoming graduation on Thursday, May 16 at Grad Bash! Immediately following the graduate walkthrough (about 5 p.m.), enjoy free music, food, drinks and games at Buzzy Plaza. 2024 graduates will receive two free drink tickets (cash bar also available). Those who register by Monday, May 13 will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a diploma frame! President Fitzsimmons will offer celebratory congratulations to our grads at 5:45 p.m. with a special toast for 2020 high school graduates. This event is free for all. To register, visit advancement.su.edu/grad-bash. Graduates will need to check-in with the SU Connect App. For more information, email alums@su.edu.
Friday, May 17 | 11 a.m. – Noon | Armstrong Concert Hall & Zoom
Baccalaureate is a time to gather in community with loved ones to pause and reflect during the whirlwind that is graduation on Friday, May 17 at 11 a.m. in Armstrong Concert Hall and on Zoom. Themed “Making Moments of Minutes,” the service features student leaders offering their gifts, talents, and skills to highlight moments, big and small, that made their time at SU meaningful and impactful. Members of administration, faculty, and staff draw from many religious, secular, and spiritual backgrounds to greet and encourage graduates. As those who will forever be the children of the stars, come and celebrate the opportunity to treasure the moments that will matter for life! All are invited and encouraged to attend this important Shenandoah tradition. For more information, contact DeLyn Celec at spirituallife@su.edu.
2020 High School Graduates
If you’re a 2020 high school graduate, remember that we’ll have plenty of distinct moments set aside just for you, so that you can celebrate two graduation years in one! Don’t forget that this is all for you:
- Class of 2020 props will be available for 2020 high school graduates at selfie stations set up all around campus.
- Didn’t have the chance to go to prom? You’ll get your time to shine with a special high school graduating class of 2020 dance during Spring Formal.
- Grad Bash will feature a special toast to our 2020 high school graduates.
- Enjoy a an exclusive breakfast just for 2020 high school graduates with Shenandoah President Tracy Fitzsimmons. Formal invitation to follow for students and their families.
- Receive a commemorative 2020/2024 graduation T-shirt to honor your achievement during breakfast with the president. Families can order a T-shirt for themselves, too!
- Hear from one of your fellow high school class of 2020 graduates at Baccalaureate.
- See your senior/graduation photos from 2020 on the big screens during your breakfast with the president and at University Commencement. The deadline to submit photos has passed.
- Acknowledgement of 2020 HS grads at individual school ceremonies.
- Wrap up your Shenandoah undergraduate era with a Class of 2020 High School Graduate Recognition during University Commencement! You are invited to wear your 2020 tassel alongside your 2024 tassel, and perhaps cross a commencement stage for the first time ever!
