Through all the unique challenges that transpired over the last year, many hardworking and passionate Stockton students will be celebrating their graduation ceremony this coming May. After much careful planning, the schedule for the 2021 graduation ceremony has been released. Commencement will take place over the course of three days, May 11-13 on the Galloway campus outside of the sports center. Students who will be fulfilling their degree requirements spring 2021, or have already completed them as of fall or summer 2020 are invited to attend.

The ceremonies have been broken down by different programs and time slots on each day. May 11 will host the School of Business and Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The Schools of Health Sciences and School of Arts and Humanities will walk on Wednesday, May 12. Last, but certainly not least, May 13 will hold its ceremonies for the School of Education, School of General Studies, and School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. For students who did not request their regalia delivered by mail, their regalia can be picked up on the Main Galloway Campus on either April 22 or April 23.

COVID regulations and precautions are still significant factors determining the layout of the ceremonies, with face masks being required at all times for those present at the ceremony. Seats will also be placed six feet apart to maintain social distancing. Graduating students will be allowed to invite three guests to attend (as opposed to two from the fall 2020 ceremony.) It is the responsibility of the graduating student to distribute their three electronic guests tickets after they are sent to the student’s email. In order to gain admittance, all guests need to show a ticket, which can only be scanned once. Additionally, tickets are only valid for a single ceremony.

For the day of the event, the Stockton COVID health pledge must be completed by the graduating student and the three guests prior to entry. Check-in for graduates and seating for guests will begin forty-five minutes prior to the start of the event, with campus police guiding for parking. Those who completed regalia ordering on time will be given priority seating. An email can be sent to  event.services@stockton.edu for any accommodations requested. ADA parking and seating will be available, as well as an American Sign Language interpreter who will be shown on the arena screens. For those unable to attend in person, the entire ceremony will be broadcasted live at stockton.edu/commencement .

While this definitely was not the graduation any of us would have foreseen, I am excited to wrap up my final semester at Stockton and continue my studies as a graduate student in the fall. With how hectic everything has been for everyone, graduation will still come as a source of relief and celebration.