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Date set for Class of 2020 Commencement

August 10, 2020

Commencement announce

Roanoke College is elated to announce that a new date has been set for the Class of 2020 Commencement.

Based on the results of a class survey conducted last month, the Class of 2020 Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Other Commencement week events, including department receptions, Baccalaureate, and carving names in the President’s House bookshelves, will begin the afternoon of Friday, April 30.

On July 10, a survey on Commencement options was distributed to all members of the Class of 2020. The three options presented for Commencement were: 1. Alumni Weekend 2021 (April 16-18); 2. the weekend prior to 2021 Commencement (April 30-May 1, 2021); and 3. a shared weekend with Class of 2021 (weekend of May 7-8, 2021).

Of 287 respondents, a majority (68%) selected option 2, preferring their own weekend for Commencement, to be held the weekend prior to the Class of 2021 Commencement.

The College will send an email in late September or early October to formally request gown sizing, RSVPs for Friday and Saturday attendance, and will provide information about discounted hotel accommodations in the area. 

As announced earlier this month, members of the Class of 2020 who for any reason will not be able to attend the rescheduled Commencement in 2021 will have an open invitation to participate in person at another future Roanoke College commencement.

It should be noted that all plans for the Commencement and Baccalaureate ceremonies, as well as traditional senior events, are subject to COVID-related restrictions at that time. Plans will be set in accordance with local, state and/or federal guidelines related to the pandemic, again, at that time.

A very sincere "thank you" to members of the Class of 2020, and their families, for their understanding and patience during these unprecedented times. The College is working to ensure that the Class of 2020 Commencement is exceptionally meaningful and above all, memorable.

Stay tuned for more details! And, as always, Go Maroons!