EMU to host walking ceremony and online Commencement in May

Eastern Mennonite University will host an in-person “Walking Ceremony” and online Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020.

The Walking Ceremonies will be Saturday, May 1. [The rain date is Sunday, May 2.] Graduates of 2020 and 2021 are invited to attend one of three smaller ceremonies associated with EMU’s academic schools.

  • 9:00 a.m. School of Theology, Humanities and the Performing Arts
  • 11:30 a.m. School of Science, Engineering, Art and Nursing
  • 2:00 p.m. School of Social Sciences and Professions

An outdoor venue will be used. Graduates may also register four guests. More information will be forthcoming.

Two virtual ceremonies will also be held. The Class of 2021 Commencement will be on Sunday, May 9, at 1 p.m. EST. The Hon. Deanna Reed, mayor of Harrisonburg and a member of EMU’s Board of Trustees, will give the Commencement address.

The weekend will also feature an online commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020. This event will be Saturday, May 8, at 1 p.m. EST. Professor Carolyn Stauffer will give the commencement address.

“With COVID still significantly present in our communities and Virginia guidelines for hosting gatherings still very restrictive, a virtual ceremony and these distanced walking ceremonies will allow us to celebrate our graduates and their accomplishments in the safest way possible,” said Provost Fred Kniss.

The Virginia governor’s March 17 executive order related to commencement exercises enabled planning of the in-person events.

For more information, visit www.emu.edu/commencement.