Commencement 2021

We, like you, look forward to this last fulfilling chapter in your college experience. Due to state COVID-19 commencement guidelines, the ceremony will look significantly different than usual, but we are excited to celebrate your accomplishments in person. Provided below is a schedule of events, additional changes due to State COVID-19 commencement guidelines, and information about the commencement survey (due April 23).

Downloadable Photos are now available for graduates and their families.

2021 Commencement Events

Saturday, May 22

12:30 p.m. – M.A.T. Awards Ceremony, Student Center, Klein Board Room.
1:30 p.m. – Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony, Smith Memorial Building, Alice Ashley Jack Room.
5:30 p.m. – M.A.C.S.L. Ceremony, Smith Memorial Building, Alice Ashley Jack Room.

Sunday, May 23

8:00–9:00 a.m. Commencement Rehearsal (MANDATORY) – Randolph College Tennis Courts.
(Rain Site: Smith Memorial Building, Smith Banquet Hall)
Participation is mandatory for graduates. Graduates should come dressed and ready for Commencement. Cap, gown, and hood should be readily available. Please eat breakfast before rehearsal, as you will not have time afterward.
9:30 a.m. Commencement Procession Forms – Graduates to line-up beginning at Randolph College Tennis Courts.
(Rain Site: Smith Memorial Building, Smith Banquet Hall.)
9:50 a.m. Commencement Procession Begins.
10:00 a.m. Commencement – Randolph College WildCat Stadium.
(Rain Site: Smith Memorial Building, Smith Hall Theatre.)

Rain Plan

In the event of inclement weather, commencement will be held in Smith Theatre.
Only graduates will attend.
Due to distancing requirements, two ceremonies may be held, and times could change.

Changes due to COVID-19 State Guidelines

The Class of 2021 commencement ceremony will occur at the Randolph College WildCat Stadium.
In the event of inclement weather, and depending on the number of students that RSVP for the ceremony, a move to the rain location (Smith Hall Theatre) may require two commencement ceremonies in order to follow required physical distancing guidelines. Graduates will receive an email confirming their rehearsal and ceremony times.
All graduates will be limited to 2 guests if the ceremony is held at the WildCat Stadium. No guests will be permitted on campus if it is moved into Smith Hall Theatre.
All parties (graduates, platform party, guests, and performers) must maintain 10 ft. of physical distance. Chairs will be physically distanced across the WildCat Stadium field and track in accordance with state guidelines and should not be moved.
No other celebrations and/or gatherings are permitted due to state guidelines.
There will be no squires during the commencement ceremony.
All attendees must wear a mask over their nose and mouth.

Commencement Survey

*Completion of the survey below is REQUIRED even if you are not planning to attend the May Commencement ceremony*

Through this survey, graduates will confirm whether or not you will be attending the ceremony, provide guest names and contact information for contact tracing, notify the college of replacement regalia you will need to purchase for the event, and make requests for assistance for guests with special needs. The survey must be completed by Friday, April 23. (To complete the form, you must log in with your Randolph College Google account.)

Commencement Survey

Commencement Rehearsal

All graduates are required to attend Commencement rehearsal at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 23. Meet at the Randolph College tennis courts (if raining, meet in Smith Banquet Hall located in Smith Memorial Building). Graduates should arrive dressed and ready for Commencement; caps, gowns, hoods, and tassels should be readily available.

Commencement Ceremony

Commencement will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 23 at the Randolph College WildCat Stadium (if rain, Smith Memorial Building, Smith Hall Theatre). If the ceremony is outdoors each graduate will be allowed to have 2 guests, but if forced indoors due to weather, there will be no guests allowed on campus. Guests must be registered by April 23 using the commencement RSVP google form shared above. Due to the 10 feet physical distancing required in the state’s COVID-19 commencement guidelines, we are only able to fit the graduates and platform party in the theatre. The ceremony typically lasts approximately 1½ hours.

Commencement Ceremony Livestream

A livestream link will be available for remote viewing convenience whether commencement occurs outside or indoors. There will be no livestream viewing areas on campus.

Watch Livestream

Assistance for Guests with Special Needs

These requests must be submitted via the commencement RSVP link shared above. Requests must be submitted by the April 23 deadline.

Residence Halls Close Sunday, May 23 at 6 p.m.

Seniors who leave campus following exams should plan to return on Saturday in order to accomplish the bulk of their packing before Commencement events begin. We ask students to reserve Sunday afternoon for loading already packed belongings. Residence halls will close at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 23 (no exceptions).

Questions and More Information

Please continue to regularly check your email for additional updates regarding commencement. Questions may be directed to Chris Lemasters in the Office of the Dean of Students at (434) 947-8895 or by email to deanofstudents@randolphcollege.edu.

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