Although it may not look the same as previous years, Wittenberg University will conduct the 171st Commencement exercises in person to celebrate the class of 2021 on Saturday, May 15.
Two ceremonies are slated to take place at Wittenberg Stadium atop Edwards-Maurer Field, part of the Health, Wellness & Athletics (HWA) Complex. Graduates will be divided by majors with group one consisting of sciences and education majors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and group two featuring humanities and arts majors from 3 to 5 p.m. Each graduate will be allotted two tickets for guests, which will be available for pick-up at the end of April with additional information forthcoming. The rain location for both ceremonies will be inside the HWA’s Pam Evans Smith Arena.
“Given Governor Mike DeWine’s recent announcement with regard to increasing outdoor capacity for gatherings and events from 15 to 30 percent and 25 percent indoors, we believe we can safely host in-person ceremonies for our graduating class,” said President Mike Frandsen in a campus communication. “While this is certainly welcomed news, there are still many details the Commencement Committee needs to work through. We will be able to communicate further details in the coming weeks, so I ask for your patience and understanding as we work through our planning to ensure the health and safety of all involved in this milestone event.”
Additional information regarding parking, shuttles, entrance to the seating area, etc. will be shared soon. Graduates will also still have an opportunity to participate in such traditions as Stomp the Seal and take photos in the ceremony’s normal location, Commencement Hollow, where light refreshments will be served for all graduates and their guests.
Grad Images will be available to take diploma photos during the ceremony, and Wittenberg photographers will be available at the Seal and in the Hollow for additional photo opportunities. More details regarding pictures will be shared on the University website closer to the date of the ceremony.
The class of 2020 will also be able to have an in-person ceremony on Sunday, May 16, at 1 p.m. in the same location as the class of 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic moved the class of 2020’s ceremony to an entirely virtual experience in May 2020.
For those with special needs/requests regarding ceremony logistics, please contact Commencement Committee Chair Brandee Bates Kern at bbates@wittenberg.edu.
