The celebration culminates in a Commencement ceremony held Under the Oaks at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5.
Elon University will welcome members of the Class of 2020 back to campus beginning Friday for a Commencement celebration culminating in a ceremony Under the Oaks at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.
These students who received their acorns at New Student Convocation in August 2016 will return to walk across a stage Under the Oaks to receive their oak saplings. Between their arrival on campus on Friday and a Commencement brunch on Sunday following the ceremony, these recent Elon alumni will have the opportunity to reconnect in person with each other as well as favorite members of Elon faculty and staff.
After checking in at the Martin Alumni Center on Friday, members of the Class of 2020 are invited to attend department open houses that afternoon and deans’ receptions that evening. On Saturday morning, Elon will host a Lavender Graduation ceremony at 9 a.m. in McKinnon Hall in the Moseley Center followed by the Donning of the Kente Ceremony at 10 a.m. in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms, also in the Moseley Center.
To protect all participants and the campus community and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, graduates and their guests should bring masks to Commencement Weekend and wear them, per campus policy, in all indoor community spaces (except while eating or drinking).
Alumni are invited to attend a special tailgate by Lake Mary Nell before heading to Rhodes Stadium to watch the Phoenix take on the Wofford Terriers at 2 p.m. Lambert Academic Village will be the site of a celebration for the Class of 2020 from 7 to 10 p.m. featuring live music, dancing and free food.
Sunday is the big day, with the Class of 2020 Commencement beginning at 9:30 a.m. Attendees will be required to wear a mask at Commencement regardless of vaccination status.
These formal ceremonies in caps and gowns will include a message from the class president, the Commencement address from Elon parent Leonard Dick, President Connie Ledoux Book’s charge to the graduates and the presentation of oak saplings.
Not able to attend in person? Watch online at elon.edu/live.
Have questions or need more details? Visit the Commencement website at elon.edu/commencement.
Class of 2020 Commencement Schedule
Friday, Sept. 3
Alumni Hospitality and Information Center, Martin Alumni Center, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Drop by for refreshments, your Class of 2020 T-shirt, Commencement tickets and additional information. For those who do not have a cap and gown, a limited supply of various sizes will be available at check-in.
Department Open Houses, across campus, 1-5 p.m.
Stop by your favorite campus departments and offices to reconnect with classmates and organizational leaders.
Deans’ Receptions, various locations, 5-6:30 p.m.
A chance for graduates to celebrate with school and college deans, faculty, staff and classmates in their academic programs.
- Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, Phi Beta Kappa Plaza (Rain location: Lindner Foyer)
- Love School of Business, Chandler Fountain (Rain location: Koury Business Center Atrium)
- School of Communications, Snow Family Grand Atrium
- Watts Williams School of Education, Fonville Fountain, Scott Plaza (Rain location: Mooney 111)
Saturday, Sept. 4
Alumni Hospitality and Information Center, Martin Alumni Center, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Drop by for refreshments, your Class of 2020 T-shirt, Commencement tickets and additional information. For those who do not have a cap and gown, a limited supply of various sizes will be available at check-in.
Lavender Graduation Ceremony, McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, 9 a.m.
A ceremony honoring the achievements of LGBTQIA graduates.
Donning of the Kente Ceremony, Lakeside Meeting Rooms, Moseley Center, 10 a.m.
A rich cultural ceremony celebrating the achievements of students who recognize their African roots.
Class of 2020 Family Tailgate Village, Lake Mary Nell, 11 a.m.
Bring your friends and family to tailgate along Lake Mary Nell before the game.
Elon vs. Wofford Football Game, Rhodes Stadium, 2 p.m.
Watch the Phoenix take on the Terriers. Purchase tickets on the athletics website. Use code GRAD2020 in the Pre-Sale Code box.
Class of 2020 Celebration, Lambert Academic Village, 7-10 p.m.
An evening of live music, dancing, free food, a beer garden and conversation with friends.
Sunday, Sept. 5
Class of 2020 Commencement, Under the Oaks, 9:30 a.m. (streamed at www.elon.edu/live)
A formal ceremony in caps and gowns with a message from Class President Noor Irshaidat ’20, the Commencement address from Emmy Award-winning television writer and producer Leonard Dick P’20, President Connie Ledoux Book’s charge to graduates and saplings. Graduates should arrive at Alumni Gym by 8 a.m. for seating and pre-ceremony announcements. (Rain location: Schar Center)
Commencement Brunch, Lake Mary Nell, 11:30 a.m.
Join university leaders for a delicious brunch.