Elon will celebrate 2021 graduates through multiple in-person ceremonies with a limited number of guests.
Elon University has announced plans to hold in-person 2021 Commencement ceremonies this May. The university will host these joyous occasions on campus, celebrating our graduates while also protecting the health of all in attendance and complying with local and state guidelines. All graduates will have the opportunity to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas from President Connie Ledoux Book.
- Undergraduate Commencement will be held in multiple ceremonies on Friday, May 21.
- Graduate Commencement ceremonies will be held in multiple ceremonies on Tuesday, May 18.
In light of COVID-19 health regulations, seniors will be allotted two guest tickets, allowing the university to comply with state and local limits on crowd sizes. Elon will also provide remote viewing options for all ceremonies, so family members and friends can participate on or off campus through an online broadcast at www.elon.edu/live. Caps and gowns will be distributed starting the week of April 19.
Wearing masks and practicing physical distancing will be required at all Commencement Week events. There will be no exceptions to the mask policy, including in outdoor venues. Students who have not received vaccines by that time will be required to continue weekly testing, and all guests will be strongly encouraged to be tested before coming to campus.
Undergraduate Commencement
Graduates and their guests will be assigned to attend one of the smaller ceremonies scheduled throughout the day on Friday, May 21. Final decisions about the day’s schedule, the groups of graduates assigned to each ceremony, tickets and more will be announced no later than April 16. The university is currently studying the feasibility of holding the ceremonies in Schar Center, which would protect attendants from severe weather and heat and allow for assigned, physically distanced seating in Elon’s largest venue, which will be fogged between ceremonies.
Graduate Commencement schedule
Elon will celebrate the Master of Business Administration, Accounting, Business Analytics and Management; Master of Arts in Higher Education; and the Interactive Media Master’s Program ceremonies on Tuesday, May 18 in Alumni Gym. Graduate students will learn about guest tickets for family and friends and virtual broadcasts from their program directors. Ceremonies will be held as follows:
- MHE Commencement: Tuesday, May 18 at 1 p.m. in Alumni Gym
- Interactive Media Commencement: Tuesday, May 18 at 4 p.m. in Alumni Gym
- MBA, MSA, MSBA and MScM Commencement: Tuesday, May 18 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Gym
Other Senior Week activities
In consultation with the senior class officers and others on campus, Elon is also planning modified commemorations and activities for Senior Week. Final details will be announced by April 16. Please hold the following dates and times for these celebrations:
- Senior College Coffee, Wednesday, May 19, various campus outdoor locations
- Evening Senior Celebration, Wednesday, May 19, outdoor location TBA
- Baccalaureate, Thursday, May 20, at 3 p.m. in Alumni Gym (ticketed and streamed)
- Donning of the Kente, Thursday, May 20, at 6 p.m. in Alumni Gym (ticketed and streamed)
Making plans, but staying flexible
The arrangements detailed in this message reflect our best thinking with the information we currently have available. Plans could change, depending on health conditions and public regulations. We ask your understanding and willingness to adapt if we are forced to adjust plans in the weeks ahead.