Commencement Communications
Below is an archive of key communications sent to seniors and families about Commencement 2025.
Sent February 11, 2025
TO: Candidates of the Class of 2025
I am writing regarding Elon University’s Undergraduate Commencement, which is scheduled for Friday, May 23, 2025.
As previously announced, two ceremonies will take place in Schar Center:
- At 9:00 a.m., Elon College, The College of Arts and Sciences, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, and the School of Health Sciences will award diplomas, ending at approximately 11:15 a.m.
- At 2:30 p.m., The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and School of Communications
will award diplomas ending at approximately 4:45 p.m.
We are excited to announce that this year’s Undergraduate Commencement speaker will be the distinguished play-by-play commentator for ESPN and ACC Network – Wes Durham ’88!
GUEST TICKETS: Any guest attending ceremonies inside Schar Center on May 23 will require an admission ticket. As the graduation candidate, you will be responsible to request the number of tickets (“guest tickets” – up to a maximum of 5) between the dates of April 21-25.
The ticket request period will close at 11:59 p.m. on April 25, and you will not be able to reserve tickets after this time. Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 graduate returning to participate will request tickets in the same way.
If tickets remain, you will be notified how to request one (1) additional guest ticket beginning April 29 at 7:45 a.m. (Eastern Savings Time). It is expected that all tickets will be reserved by May 1.
Claiming guest tickets: Candidates will pick up guest tickets at Schar Center Ticket Office from May 5-9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, May 10, tickets can be picked up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday hours are scheduled especially for those who are unavailable during weekday hours, e.g. due to work schedules, internships or student teaching.
Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 graduates can pick up their guest tickets when they return to Elon later in May for their diploma ceremony. Please email commencement@elon.edu to arrange for pick up when your travel schedule is confirmed.
Tickets must be picked up by each candidate; friends or family cannot pick up tickets on their behalf. It is your responsibility to request, claim and distribute tickets to the guests who will use them on May 23.
Guests without tickets to Schar Center ceremonies may watch on the large screens in Great Hall in Global Commons. The ceremony will also be live streamed at www.elon.edu/live for viewing on personal devices.
GRAD FAIR: Candidates, you are encouraged to pick up your maroon bachelor’s robe and shop for commencement merchandise at the Grad Fair on Monday & Tuesday, April 7 & 8 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at Barnes & Noble bookstore at 130 N. Williamson Avenue.
YEARBOOK SENIOR PHOTO DAYS are scheduled on the following dates in Spring 2025:
- Thursday-Friday, March 6 & 7
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Studio in McEwen Building (School of Communications) - Tuesday, April 8
GRAD FAIR: Elon Bookstore
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (those in line by 4:30 p.m. will be photographed) - Wednesday, April 9
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Studio in McEwen Building (School of Communications)
Plans are also underway for the following Senior celebration events:
- Lav Grad on Friday, May 9 (register by March 14)
- An evening candlelight ceremony Under the Oaks on Tuesday, May 20.
- Elon Nursing pinning ceremony for BSN 2025 on Wednesday, May 21.
- An evening Senior Celebration in Rhodes Stadium on Wednesday, May 21 (for the Class of ‘25).
- Stole ceremonies for First Gen graduates, Latinx/Hispanic graduates (¡Celebremos!), International Business Dual
- Degree on Wednesday and Thursday, May 21 and 22nd.
- Four schools will host receptions on Thursday, May 22 at 2:30 p.m. to provide an opportunity for candidates and their families to spend time with faculty and staff from their major area of study (for the Class of ’25 and their guests).
- Donning of the Kente stole ceremony, Thursday, May 22 in Alumni Memorial Gym.
Information regarding the celebration schedule and registration details for events is available on the Commencement website at www.elon.edu/commencement. Information will be updated regularly throughout the Spring semester.
We offer our congratulations to you and look forward to celebrating with the Class of 2025 this May.
Jeffrey Clark
Executive Director, Cultural and Special Programs
Sent December 16, 2024
Dear Parents and Families of the Class of 2025,
I am writing with updates on plans for Undergraduate Commencement, which will be held Friday, May 23, 2025.
Ceremonies by School or College
Two separate ceremonies are scheduled in Schar Center, 542 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon, North Carolina.
- Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the School of Health Sciences will award diplomas in a 9 a.m. ceremony, ending at approximately 11 a.m.
- The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and School of Communications will award diplomas in a 2:30 p.m. ceremony, ending at approximately 5 p.m.
Candidates will report to their respective ceremony to form a line of march one hour prior to the start time. Each ceremony will include a class speaker, the keynote speaker, the reading of names, the awarding of diplomas and charge by the president.
Family/Guest Tickets
We expect to have five tickets available for family/guests. This number will be confirmed once we have a final number of candidates planning to participate in Commencement. We will notify you in an upcoming letter in early February 2025 to confirm the number of tickets per candidate.
Details regarding ticket distribution, services, event schedule and other information will also be available in early 2025 on the Commencement website at www.elon.edu/commencement.
Deadline to Apply to Graduate
All students who expect to participate in ceremonies on May 23 must complete and submit a graduation application. The deadline was Nov. 4, 2024. Any student who has not already applied should do so as soon as possible. More information is available at Elon University / Graduation Information / Applying for Graduation
Graduate Level Commencement will occur on Wednesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Memorial Gym in Koury Athletic Center for the following degrees:
- Master of Arts in Higher Education
- Master of Education in Innovation
- Master of Science in Accounting
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Master of Business Administration
We look forward to making lifetime memories for you and your graduate.
Sincerely yours,
Jeffrey Clark
Executive Director
Cultural and Special Programs