Commencement Communications

Below is an archive of key communications sent to seniors and families about Commencement 2024.

Sent April 10, 2024

You are receiving this message as a participant in the Undergraduate Commencement Diploma Ceremony on Friday, May 24, 2024.

TICKET REQUEST FOR DIPLOMA CEREMONIES

All graduates confirmed to participate in Undergraduate Commencement must request guest tickets to their diploma ceremony.

Only participating graduates can make ticket requests for their guests. Guests cannot request tickets on behalf of a graduate.

Round 1: Tuesday, April 16 at 9 a.m. EDT to Monday, April 22 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. 

Follow these steps:

  • The link will be provided by email on Monday, April 15 to request tickets.
  • Sign in to request the needed number (1 to 5 tickets) for your assigned diploma ceremony. 
  • There is no charge for guest tickets.
  • Tickets are for general admission seating.
  • Information about accessible seating accommodations is available on the Commencement website.
  • There is not a different ticket or separate credential for accessible seating.

Fall 2023/Winter 2024 Graduates and others currently on study abroad, IBDD, etc.: Participating graduates who are not currently at Elon must follow the above instructions to request tickets. Make the request between the active dates for all participants, April 16-22.

  • Please email commencement@elon.edu to arrange to pick up tickets when you arrive at Elon in May.
  • Tickets will not be mailed.
  • Tickets cannot be picked up by friends or family or others on anyone’s behalf.

REMAINING TICKETS

If tickets remain for either ceremony after April 22:

  • Round 2 will open on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:45 a.m. This early time allows all participating graduates to request including those with 8 a.m. classes. Please plan accordingly.
  • Select one (1) additional ticket for your diploma ceremony.
  • Once all remaining tickets are claimed, Round 2 will close.

Ticket Pick-Up

Guest tickets will be picked up in person at the Schar Center Ticket Office at 542 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon, NC.

It is the responsibility of each participating graduate to pick up their guest tickets and to ensure that tickets are in the possession those who will attend the diploma ceremony in Schar Center on Friday, May 24.

  • Ticket Pick Up: Monday-Friday, May 6-10, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
  • Saturday, May 11, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. as an option for those who may be student teaching or working or for other reason cannot visit the ticket window on weekdays.
  • Present your Phoenix card or other Photo ID (required).
  • Tickets cannot be picked up for friends, or by family or by friends for a graduate.

Further information regarding Commencement 2024 is available on the website.

Sent Feb. 13, 2024

TO: Candidates of the Class of 2024

I am writing regarding Elon University’s Undergraduate Commencement, which is scheduled for Friday, May 24, 2024.

As previously announced, two ceremonies will take place in Schar Center:

  • At 9:00 a.m., The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and School of Communications will award diplomas, ending at approximately 11:30 a.m.
  • At 2:30 p.m., Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education will award diplomas ending at approximately 4:30 p.m.

GUEST TICKETS: All guests attending ceremonies inside Schar Center on May 24 will require an admission ticket. As the graduation candidate, you will be responsible to request the number of tickets for your guests (up to a maximum of 5 tickets) between the dates of April 16-22. This ticket request period will close at 11:59 p.m. on April 22, and you will not be able to reserve tickets after this time.

If tickets remain, candidates will be notified how to request one (1) additional guest ticket beginning April 24 at 7:45 a.m. It is expected that all tickets will be claimed no later than April 26.

Claiming guest tickets: Graduates will pick up guest tickets at Schar Center Ticket Office from May 6-10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, May 11, tickets can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Saturday hours are scheduled especially for graduates who are unavailable during weekday hours, e.g. due to work schedules, internships or student teaching. Bring your Phoenix card for fast service at the ticket windows.

It is your responsibility to request, claim and distribute tickets to the guests who will use them on May 24.

Guests without tickets to Schar Center ceremonies may watch in Global Commons. The ceremony will also be available by live stream at www.elon.edu/live.

GRAD FAIR is Monday & Tuesday, April 8-9: You are encouraged to pick up your maroon bachelor’s robe, have a portrait photo taken by Phi Psi Cli, for the Elon yearbook, and shop for commencement merchandise. Grad Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Barnes & Noble bookstore at 130 N. Williamson Ave.

Plans are also underway for the following Senior week events:

  • An evening candlelight ceremony Under the Oaks on Tuesday, May 21.
  • An evening Senior Celebration for the Class of ’24 in Rhodes Stadium on Wednesday, May 22.
  • The four schools represented by the graduating class will host School Receptions on Thursday, May 23 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.
  • Donning of the Kente will be Thursday, May 23 in Alumni Memorial Gym. Candidates will register through Alumni Programs for the candlelight ceremony, Senior Celebration and Donning of the Kente.

Information regarding the schedule and other details are available on the Commencement website at www.elon.edu/commencement. Information will be updated regularly throughout spring semester.

We offer our congratulations to you and look forward to celebrating with the Class of 2024 this May.

Jeffrey Clark
Executive Director
Cultural and Special Programs

Dear Parents and Families of the Class of 2024,

I am writing with updates for Undergraduate Commencement, on Friday, May 24, 2024.The university community is especially excited to celebrate the Class of 2024 with you, recognizing this is likely the first graduation for many in this class who were unable to participate in a high school ceremony due to the pandemic.

Ceremonies
Ceremonies will occur in two separate programs in Schar Center.

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and School of Communications will award diplomas in a 9:00 a.m. ceremony, ending at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education will award diplomas in a 2:30 p.m. ceremony, ending at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Participating graduates will report to their respective diploma ceremony to form a line of march one hour and 15 minutes prior to the start time. Each ceremony will include both the class speaker and the keynote speaker followed by the reading of names and awarding of diplomas and charge by the president.

Family/Guest Tickets
Each participating graduate will receive email instructions to reserve and claim tickets for family/guests (maximum of 5 tickets). Graduates will reserve guest tickets from April 16 to April 22. If tickets remain, graduates will have the opportunity to request one additional ticket to their respective ceremony while quantities last. Graduates are responsible for reserving, claiming and distributing tickets for their guests.

The ceremonies will also be available by live stream through the university’s website. Guests without tickets to the Schar Center ceremony may plan to watch the ceremony via large-screen format in Global Commons.

Information regarding ticket distribution, event schedule, attending the indoor ceremony, alternate ceremony viewing and other information is available on the Commencement website at www.elon.edu/commencement.This information will be updated regularly.

The individual schools within the university will host receptions on Thursday, May 23 at 2:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for graduates and their families to spend time with faculty and staff from their major area of study.

Graduate-Level Commencements
Commencement for the Master of Education, Master of Arts in Higher Education, Master of Arts in Interactive Media, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Business Analytics and Master of Science in Accounting will occur on Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Memorial Gym.

We offer our congratulations and look forward to celebrating with the Class of 2024 this May.

Sincerely yours,

Jeffrey Clark
Executive Director
Cultural and Special Programs