Dear Adelphi Community,
On behalf of the Commencement Committee, we write to share with you our University’s final plans for recognizing Adelphi’s Classes of 2020 and 2021 and how we will celebrate one of our community’s proudest occasions at such a unique time in history.
Our committee set out planning in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, without knowing when official public health guidance might change. We made it a priority to actively listen to the wishes and concerns of our graduates and our community and to the health experts tasked with keeping us safe.
What we heard is that our students want to celebrate in a meaningful and familiar way with loved ones and their Adelphi community. We also heard from health experts and New York state that, despite progress, it is still not safe or approved to have the kind of large gathering we traditionally hold for Commencement.
Commencement Plans
After thoughtful and thorough consideration of all options for Adelphi University’s Commencement for the Classes of 2020 and 2021, Executive Leadership has approved a hybrid plan combining an optional in-person Grad Walk experience with virtual versions of traditional Commencement ceremonies and the conferral of academic degrees.
The Adelphi Grad Walk
An opportunity to commemorate your graduation with a uniquely meaningful experience, the Adelphi Grad Walk is an option for 2020 and 2021 graduates to have their moment walking across a decorated Commencement-style stage—which so many students expressed is important to them. You can wear your robes or choose not to. The Grad Walk will be held by appointment from April 26 to April 29, during Senior Week, and after finals, beginning May 21, in the Ruth S. Harley University Center’s Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom.
Although not an official ceremony, our graduates can invite two guests to join them for their Grad Walk—to capture the moment on their devices and be part of the unique occasion. A professional photographer will also capture the moment, and Adelphi will gift each Grad Walk participant with a photo of your moment. More information is available on our website.
At all times, individuals on campus must follow Adelphi’s health and safety protocols, including completion of our health screening, social distancing and mask wearing. Graduates will be permitted to remove their mask during photography onstage.
Virtual Commencement Ceremonies
Adelphi schools and colleges will each hold a virtual Commencement ceremony to formally recognize each graduate and officially confer degrees. These will air on Monday, May 24, for the Class of 2021 and Tuesday, May 25, for the Class of 2020. Recordings will be posted online for our students, families and community to view and share.
Candidates for 2021 graduation should review required steps and deadlines necessary to formally graduate. These details and more information about virtual Commencement are available on our website.
School and College Celebrations
For additional specific school, college or department activities around graduation celebrations, please stay tuned for communications from those areas. Those events will be separate from the University’s virtual Commencement ceremonies and the Grad Walk.
Doctoral Hooding Ceremonies
Plans for in-person 2020 and 2021 Doctoral Hooding ceremonies, also allowing two guests for each candidate, are underway and will soon be announced.
We look forward to recognizing and celebrating our Classes of 2020 and 2021!
We hope that our graduates and community are pleased and enthusiastic about Adelphi’s Commencement plans. They were developed with great respect for the hard work and goals of our graduates, as well as important public health and safety protocols.
All Class of 2020 and 2021 graduates are also invited to attend a future in-person Commencement ceremony when it is safe for us to host one.
Thank you for your patience as we worked to develop plans that are memorable and safe for all. Please be sure to review exciting additional details and important next steps and deadlines on our Commencement website and Commencement FAQs. Please email commencement@adelphi.edu if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Cara Terzulli, MPA
Deputy to the Provost
Commencement Committee Co-Chair
Kaitlyn Woods ’12, MBA ’15
Senior Associate Director of Special Events and Engagement
Commencement Committee Co-Chair