FAQs
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When is the Class of 2025 Commencement ceremony?
The date for the 135th Commencement Exercises is Friday, May 23, 2025. Two ceremonies for the undergraduate Class of 2025 will take place in Schar Center (542 N. Williamson Ave., Elon, N.C.).
- 9 a.m. — Diploma ceremony for Elon College, the College of Arts and Science; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; and the School of Health Sciences
- 2:30 p.m. — Diploma ceremony for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the School of Communications
How long will each ceremony be?
Each ceremony will last approximately 2.5 hours and will include the keynote address followed by reading of names and awarding of diplomas as candidates cross the stage.
How can candidates confirm which ceremony they should attend?
Graduates and families may verify primary major by referring to the Graduation Candidates List. Graduates with multiple majors are assigned to the ceremony corresponding to their primary major on their degree audit (available in OnTrack). Graduates must attend the ceremony to which they are assigned to receive their diploma.
What time should candidates arrive for the ceremony? Where do candidates check in?
Candidates receiving diplomas at the 9 a.m. ceremony should report to the Practice Gym in Schar Center beginning at 7:45 a.m. Instructions for the ceremony will be shared at 8:20 a.m.
Candidates receiving diplomas at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony should report to the Practice Gym in Schar Center beginning at 1:15 p.m. Instructions for the ceremony will be shared at 1:50 p.m.
Candidates should use the candidate check-in entrance.
In what order will candidates receive their diplomas?
During the 9 a.m. ceremony, B.A. candidates will receive their diplomas first, followed by B.F.A. and B.S. During the 2:30 p.m. ceremony, B.A. candidates will receive their diplomas first, followed by B.F.A., B.S. and B.S.B.A. All candidates will cross the stage from audience left to audience right.
Are tickets required for guests?
All candidates confirmed to participate in May 23 Commencement must reserve guest tickets for their guests attending their diploma ceremony. With the anticipated number of participants in each diploma ceremony, the maximum number of guest tickets is five (5).
Fall 2024 and winter 2025 graduates as well as candidates who currently do not live at Elon (i.e., study abroad, remote internship, dual degree program), must also request guest tickets if they plan to participate in May 23 ceremonies.
Candidates will receive email instructions to reserve guest tickets in mid-April. There is no charge for guest tickets.
If tickets remain to their diploma ceremony, candidates will be notified how they may request one (1) additional guest ticket.
Where do candidates pick up their tickets?
Candidates will pick up guest tickets at the Schar Center Ticket Office from May 5-9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, May 10, the ticket office will be open 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. for candidates who are unavailable during weekday hours, e.g. due to internships, student teaching or employment.
Those who are not at Elon in spring semester (fall/winter term grads, study abroad, remote internships) should email commencement@elon.edu to arrange to pick up tickets when they return to campus for Commencement.
Candidates are responsible for requesting, claiming and distributing tickets to the guests who will use them on May 23. Tickets must be picked up in person by the candidate with Phoenix card or Photo ID. Please note that tickets cannot be picked up by friends or family on behalf of a candidate.
What if I have more guests who want to attend than the maximum number of tickets allowed?
Guests without tickets to Schar Center ceremonies may watch in Global Commons. Tickets are not required for viewing in Global Commons. Doors will open one hour before each ceremony.
LIVESTREAM: The ceremonies will also be available to livestream on personal devices at elon.edu/live.
CEREMONY ARCHIVE: May 2025 Commencement ceremonies will be available for on demand viewing in the days following the ceremonies on the Ceremony Archive page.
Where should guests park?
Parking lots will open at 7:15 a.m. for Commencement guest parking. Guests are asked to park at Schar Center only for the ceremony they are attending. Please visit the Parking and Accessibility Information pages for more information.
When will doors open for guest seating at each diploma ceremony?
Doors will open approximately one hour and 15 minutes before each ceremony
- 7:45 a.m. for the 9 a.m. diploma ceremony
- 1:15 p.m. for the 2:30 p.m. diploma ceremony
Please note: Doors to Schar Center will be locked before 7:45 a.m. and between 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. for final preparations and to set the ceremony stage and sweep for each ceremony in Schar Center.
Will restrooms be available while guests wait to enter Schar Center?
Restrooms are available at the shuttle bus stop in Latham Baseball Park and Hunt Softball Park before the entrances open for guests. Please see map and plan accordingly.
Does Schar Center have any security regulations?
Security personnel may inspect camera bags, purses and similar items at the entrance. To ensure a guest-friendly atmosphere, the following items are prohibited in Schar Center and Alumni Gym:
- Weapons
- Explosives
- Artificial noisemakers
- Laser pointers and glow sticks
- Alcoholic beverages
- Outside food and beverage
- Coolers
- Large purses, bags, backpacks and duffels
- Smoking/tobacco products
- E-cigarettes
- No flags, banners or signs
- Balloons and beach balls
- Wrapped gifts
- Bicycles, skateboards, hover boards, rollerblades and roller shoes
- Pets (except recognized service animals under ADA titles II and III)
- Camera bipods, tripods and selfie sticks
- Folding chairs
The following items are permitted inside Schar Center:
- Wallets and small purses
- Diaper bags (subject to search)
- Clear empty drinking bottle (must be empty at entrance)
- Professional cameras (defined as cameras with detachable lenses)
- Unwrapped gifts and flowers (glass vases not permitted)
- Gift bags (subject to search)
Will Wi-Fi be available during the ceremonies?
Elon Wi-Fi has been optimized to provide assistive technologies for the hearing impaired and for Spanish translation. To ensure that all guests have the best experience possible, we strongly encourage the use of personal cellular data for all other mobile devices during the event. Assistive technology support and other requests for Wi-Fi access can be accommodated by visiting the Accessibility Station at the Hunt A entrance to Schar Center and in the Global Commons area behind audience seating.
Will I receive a sapling?
Saplings will be distributed at the conclusion of Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection on Tuesday, May 20.
Graduate-level candidates will receive their saplings after the ceremony on Wednesday, May 21 in the Koury Athletic Center concourse.
When will Commencement ceremonies be held for graduates receiving master's degrees?
The Graduate-Level Commencement will take place on Wednesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Gymnasium at Koury Athletic Center.
In this joint ceremony, the following degrees will be awarded:
- Master of Arts in Higher Education
- Master of Education in Innovation
- Master of Science in Accounting
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Master of Business Administration
See the Graduate-Level Ceremonies page for more information.