Your moment is almost here, spring 2021 grads! Interested in celebrating virtually, in-person, or both? You have options! Check them out below.
Virtual Commencement: All graduates and guests are invited to join the entire Mason community for the live-streamed GMU University Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 14, at 2 PM EDT. The link to the live-stream will become available here on Friday, May 14.
CEHD Marching Orders: After GMU University Commencement, graduates and their guests will be encouraged to visit their college’s Marching Orders site, which hosts CEHD-specific congratulatory messages and student slides available for download. The link to the CEHD Marching Orders site will become available here on Friday, May 14.
- Students who have registered to graduate should have already received information on how to personalize their Marching Orders slide. If you haven’t, please contact University Events at gmuevent@gmu.edu
- Please note the following deadlines for slide personalization:
- April 19: Deadline to submit a pronunciation guide on your name.
- April 26: Deadline to upload a picture and personal message for your slide.
In-person options: Graduates who want to participate in an in-person celebration can register for ONE of following options (further explanation available below table):
| In-person Celebration Breakdown | ||
| Patriot Procession | CEHD Mini Ceremony | |
| Celebration summary | Photo opportunity as graduate walks across stage | Brief, seated ceremony that includes Dean’s remarks and graduates walking across stage |
| Guest tickets available per graduate | Up to 8 | Up to 3 |
| Location | Mason Soccer Stadium | Outside of EagleBank Arena |
| Date | Student selects preferred date during registration | Monday, May 10 |
| Time | Student selects preferred time during registration | TBD – will be announced after registration closes on 4/16 |
| Regalia | Optional – purchase here, if interested | Required – purchase here |
| Professional photos | Taken of student as they cross the stage & with pod after | Taken of student as they cross the stage |
| Estimated duration | About 5 minutes per graduate (not counting time waiting in line) | One hour or slightly less |
| Registration deadline | Registration will remain open until all spots are filled. | Registration closes on Friday, April 16, at 5 PM. |
Patriot Procession: The Patriot Procession is an opportunity for graduates to walk across the stage and get their photo taken, but it is not a ceremony. Graduates will select a day and time to come to the Soccer Stadium with their “pod” of up to eight guests. Upon arrival, graduates will wait in line with their pod until it’s their turn to cross the stage. Once they reach the front of the line, the student’s name will be announced as they walk across the stage while their pod stands in front of the stage to cheer and take pictures. Professional photos (available for purchase) will be taken of the student while they’re on the stage and of the student and their pod once they exit the stage. After their final photo is taken, the student will leave the stadium. Regalia is optional.
- Register here. Registration will remain open until all spots are filled.
CEHD Mini Ceremony: The CEHD Mini Ceremony is a one-hour (or less) seated ceremony on Monday, May 10, (time TBD) outside EagleBank Arena that will include brief congratulatory remarks from the CEHD Dean followed by the reading of graduates’ names as they walk across the stage and are photographed. After crossing the stage, students will return to their seats until all graduates have crossed the stage and closing remarks have been made. Once the ceremony concludes, graduates and their guests (up to 3) will be carefully guided to exit pod-by-pod. Regalia is required and available for purchase online here.
Questions? Please contact Student Enrichment Coordinator Brianna Alford at balford@gmu.edu.