Erin Aumen, Commencement Coordinator and Associate Director, Constituent Relations, sent the following message to graduates about final preparations for Commencement 2021.
Hello graduating seniors and midyear graduates!
As we make the final preparations for the celebration of Gettysburg College’s 186th Commencement, we’d like to highlight the following information, as well as the Commencement website.
Please read through this entire email, as it contains important information. If we have an accurate email address for your registered guests, they also have received an email with information about attending Commencement. You must share each guest’s arrival time and QR code with your two guests in advance of their arrival at Musselman Stadium.
We look forward to a wonderful celebration!
Health and safety
- All graduates, guests, faculty, and staff attending the in-person Commencement ceremony are required to adhere to our community’s health and safety guidelines while on our campus.
- Please review the COVID-19 Rules and Rubric for the spring semester, which are in effect for all students through Monday, May 17.
- At this time, gatherings outside may be up to 25 people beginning on Sunday, May 16.
- Gatherings inside will remain at the capacity stated in 25Live for specific locations.
- Violations of the Rubric could result in students losing the privilege to participate in Commencement.
Regalia pick-up
- Sunday, May 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Gettysburg College Bookstore Walk-Up Window (CUB 126 external door on Lincoln Avenue)
- Ship to Home (pre-paid) regalia orders will be available for pickup.
- Supplemental Regalia (not pre-ordered) will be available for purchase ($56.02)
- Monday, May 17, 8:45 a.m.: Gettysburg College Bookstore Remote Location (Pool Patio – outside The Jaeger Center)
- Please arrive early.
- Ship to Home (pre-paid) regalia orders will be available for pickup.
- Supplemental Regalia (not pre-ordered) will be available for purchase ($56.02).
Sunday, May 16
Baccalaureate
A prerecorded video will be available to watch here at 9 a.m. EDT.
Add Baccalaureate to your calendar.
Baccalaureate is a welcoming and inclusive service for graduates and their families and friends to reflect together in thanksgiving for all that has brought them to this point; in celebration of their accomplishments; and in hope for all the future holds. We hope you will enjoy this joyful moment of gratitude, thanksgiving, and hope.
Monday, May 17
Check-in
- You will need your registration from engageGettysburg.
- Arrive for check-in on Memorial Field promptly at 9 a.m.
- Masks are required and extras will be available, if needed.
- Check-in and seats will be located on the west end of Memorial Field with the check-in stations available on the outskirts of the seating area.
- Check-in before you sit down.
- You can check-in two ways:
- Self check-in at one of the four kiosk stations (identifiable by stand with orange and blue balloons or ribbons).
- Check-in at two full-service stations (again, identifiable by stand with orange and blue balloons or ribbons)
- Seating for students:
- First row will have Class Officers, Student Speaker, National Anthem Student Singer, and Alma Mater Student Singer.
- Back rows will have Banner Carriers (arranged alphabetically by department).
- All other students may sit where they choose after checking in.
- Water will be available.
- Port-a-potties will be available.
- College Life staff will be on site to assist with check-in, banner carriers, procession, photographer station, etc.
Footwear
- High heels or spike heels/shoes will not be permitted in order to protect the new turf.
- Please wear flat shoes, sneakers, or flip flops.
Livestream
Livestream is available on Gettysburg.edu or YouTube.
Ceremony procession
- The procession will begin at 9:30 a.m.
- You will process from Memorial Field to Penn Hall, through Penn Hall, and through campus to Musselman Stadium. Your guests are not permitted to leave the stadium.
- A photographer will take pictures of each student at Penn Hall. These photographs will be available for purchase.
Ceremony
- A program will be on each seat and a water bottle under each seat.
- You may leave your seat to use the restroom or get water at the water stations.
- The Class of 2021 Commencement Speaker is Michael Brown. Honorary Degrees will be given to Brown, Marian Wright Edelman, and Jean Driscoll. Read more about the speaker and honorary degree recipients.
- Each graduate’s name will be announced and you will stand to be recognized.
Post Ceremony
- Grab-and-go refreshments will be available to guests and graduates as you leave the stadium.
- We respectfully ask that you maintain social distancing while on campus, and do not congregate for an extended period of time.
Departure
- Seniors in residence must be packed and moved out of your residence by 9 p.m. on Monday, May 17.
- Keys may be returned to the following locations:
- Noon – 5 p.m.: Bullet Hole Patio
- After 5 p.m.: Department of Public Safety drop box
- For additional move-out information, see the recent message from Director of Residential and First-Year Programs Danielle Phillips, sent on May 4.
General information
- Remind friends and family that you may have only two guests who must be registered by you.
- Other friends and family members who come to town should NOT come to campus, but can watch the ceremony livestreamed on a computer or other device.
- Masking and distancing will be in effect (even if you’ve been vaccinated).
- Extra masks will be available.
- The ceremony will be held outside regardless of the weather, unless it becomes dangerous (i.e. tornado, lightning, extreme heat or cold).
- Plan accordingly for weather changes.
- Please note that campus buildings, including the CUB, Jaeger Center, Musselman Library, and academic buildings, will be closed to guests on May 17.
Additional information is available on the Class of 2021 Commencement website. Congratulations!
All the best,
Erin Eline Aumen
Commencement Coordinator and Associate Director, Constituent Relations
commencement@gettysburg.edu