{"id":56478,"date":"2025-04-25T15:06:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T19:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=56478"},"modified":"2025-05-02T11:48:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T15:48:24","slug":"a-visitors-guide-to-graduation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2025\/a-visitors-guide-to-graduation\/","title":{"rendered":"A 2025 visitor\u2019s guide to graduation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What to know if you\u2019re attending EMU\u2019s commencement events<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commencement is fast approaching, bringing along a series of events and ceremonies to honor the dedication of this year’s graduating class. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help guide you through the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When is Commencement and where will it be held?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern Mennonite University\u2019s 107th annual Commencement ceremony will begin on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 1 p.m. It will be held on the Campus Front Lawn. See map below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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How long will it last?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commencement is about two hours long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if the weather is bad?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commencement will be held under a tent on the Front Lawn, rain or shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, a live video feed will be available on the EMU Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where should I park?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please see the campus map<\/a> for parking information. The south portion of the University Commons parking lot will be reserved for handicapped and mobility-restricted parking.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Where should I sit?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The seating area opens on Sunday at 11 a.m. A remote viewing location for Commencement will be at Suter Science Center 106.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many students will be graduating?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EMU will award 320 <\/strong>degrees at Commencement. The total includes 188 <\/strong>undergraduate degrees, 127 <\/strong>graduate degrees, and five <\/strong>Eastern Mennonite Seminary degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who will deliver the commencement address?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rev. Dr. Lesley Francisco McClendon, <\/strong>senior pastor of C3 Hampton (Virginia) and adjunct instructor of preaching at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, will deliver the address. Read more about her below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dynamic pastor and educator Rev. Dr. Lesley Francisco McClendon to deliver EMU\u2019s 2025 Commencement address<\/a><\/blockquote>