Graduation is a time of celebration for all that you have accomplished and we want to make it a special moment for you. We know how important this graduation ceremony is for you, your family, and your friends. While the pandemic still creates some challenges, we hope the Spring 2021 Commencement will help you mark this transition into the next phase of your life.
We are ecstatic to be able to offer an in-person commencement ceremony for Spring & Summer 2021 graduates. Please ensure that your travel plans are refundable in case something out of our control (e.g. COVID-19 or foul weather) forces a cancellation.
Spring 2021 Commencement
Details
Date: May 7 and 8, 2021Time: See list below. Each ceremony is approximately one hour and grouped by major. Gates open 30 minutes prior to each ceremony.Location: Dennison Memorial Field (no indoor rain location--in the event of terrible weather, we may have to cancel the ceremony.)
Check out this map for information on where to park and where to go on the Big Day!
Stadium Visitor Parking Lot: 1720 Rim DriveSkyhawk Parking Lot: 100 Skyhawk Avenue
West Campus Court “A” Parking Lot: 87 W. Campus CourtCenter of Southwest Studies Parking Lot: 880 Talon Lane
In the spirit of hosting a fun ceremony that still meets the safety measures established by public health officials, and knowing that COVID-19 may cause us to alter these plans, here's the idea:
Due to pandemic restrictions:
Find out which ceremony you're graduating in using this list of ceremonies that includes each student to be honored. Please ensure you know your ceremony! Double-majors, you'll walk in only one ceremony, so if you don't see your name in one, check the other.
Changes to ceremonies cannot be made at this time. This list was produced on April 15, so if you were approved for graduation after that date, your name may not be included. Also, if you have a double major, you may be in a different ceremony than expected. Please contact president@fortlewis.edu to verify your ceremony.
Graduates should arrive at the Student Life Center, dressed in cap and gown, 30 minutes before their ceremony to check in for commencement.
Ceremony schedule
Each ceremony is approximately one hour long. Gates open 30 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony and your family may enter at that time. See more about accessibility accommodations for your guests in the Ticketing section below.
Ceremonies can be live streamed at the links below and on the FLC Facebook page.
Tickets & more for your guests
We know that limiting tickets to three guests per graduate is challenging, but safety is still our primary goal. Paper tickets are reserved for each graduate, so getting there earlier or later doesn't change the availability of tickets. Lost tickets can not be replaced, so please keep them in a safe place.
Here are your options for pick up:
Bring your SkyCard or other photo ID to pick up your tickets.
Graduates who won't be using all three of their tickets are welcome to share them with others in the same ceremony. Tickets cannot be transferred between ceremonies.
Complete this two-minute form if any of yoru guests would benefit from accommodations to attend your ceremony.
Request Accommodations
Gradimages will be taking professional photos which you may purchase. Graduates will be led from Dennison field to the Clocktower after the ceremony. We encourage you to take photos with your family here, or elsewhere, so that Dennison field can be prepared for the next ceremony.
In the lead to Commencement, and as part of the ceremonies, we'll have ways for you to be engaged and involved from the safety and comfort of your own home.
If you are unable to participate in in-person commencement, we have a virtual option just for you. Similar to the virtual ceremonies in 2020, you can submit a photo or video of yourself in your cap and gown, and your name will be read at the G ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 8. Information was included in the Commencement Canvas Course about this option; or you can contact Ashley Muckway.
Prior to this year’s commencement ceremony, we will be displaying photos and congratulation notes from our graduates’ friends and family on social media and the FLC homepage. Want to congratulate your friends, or are others ready to congratulate you?
Submit online by April 21!
You’ll hear these words thrown around, often interchangeably, but they each mean something unique when we look a little closer.
At FLC, you have not officially graduated until the Registrar confirms that you have completed all of your degree requirements and the College awards your degree. This process is generally complete 6-8 weeks after the semester ends.
Commencement is the ceremony where we celebrate students who are graduating. Graduating students invite their friends and families, wear their caps and gowns, walk across the stage, shake hands with the College president, and celebrate.
Participating in Commencement is sometimes called walking, which refers to the tradition of walking across the stage to be recognized for your achievement. Walking is strictly ceremonial and does NOT guarantee that a degree will be awarded. A student becomes a graduate once they have successfully completed the requirements of their degree program and their degree is conferred by the Registrar’s office.
Ducks in a row?
If you didn't pick up your cap & gown at Countdown to Graduation, stop by the Skystore before Thursday, May 6. After May 6, they'll be waiting for you at the Student Life Center when you check in 30 minutes prior to your ceremony.
Pick up your honors medal at Skyhawk Station until Thursday, May 6, or at the Student Life Center when you check in 30 minutes prior to your ceremony.
Regalia is given out by each department. Reach out to your department chair with any questions.
You can check the status of your application for graduation on WebOPUS:
The Registrar’s Office will determine whether each student has fulfilled their degree requirements once final grades have been submitted and processed for the Spring 2021 semester. If you have completed your degree requirements, your final transcript and diploma will be mailed to you eight weeks AFTER the end of the semester (unless you have holds on your account).
If you have not completed all of your degree requirements, you will be notified by email.