Home-Outdate-Replaced on 4/27

Dear Class of 2021,

With only a few weeks left in the semester I know that you are busy putting the final touches on your St. Mary's Project, enjoying the warm weather at the waterfront, and making memories as you wrap up your career at St. Mary's College. The Senior Class Executive Board and I are busy building a fun and engaging senior week which will wrap up with the Grad Walks on May 8. More information about Senior Week will be sent out to you shortly.

In order to help us plan for the Grad Walks we must know who plans to attend. Please complete the Grad Walk Registration & Survey no later than April 23, 2021. Those who do not complete the registration will not be able to participate in the Grad Walks, but will be highlighted in the virtual Commencement also live on our website May 8. As a reminder, three Grad Walks are planned for the day broken out by major.

Graduates participating in the Grad Walks will be able to invite two guests to attend. Reservations for guests will take place when seniors submit their information for the virtual Commencement (coming soon). The Grad Walks will also be live streamed on the College’s Facebook account. Because Grad Walks will take place at the Jamie L. Roberts Stadium rather than the Townhouse Green, we require flat-soled shoes to be worn as high heels damage the playing fields.

All participants and guests will need to complete the COVID-19 symptom tracker and show the green checkmark on their mobile device for entry into the Jamie L. Roberts Stadium. Students will complete the same daily symptom tracker they’ve been completing all semester. Guests will receive a different link that must be completed on May 8. Those without access to a mobile device may complete the symptom checker via alternate means on site. More information about how to complete the symptom tracker survey will be available shortly.

We encourage you to look through graduate resources on the Commencement website, which provides information on cap & gown, Lavender Graduation, the Alumni Association, and more. Updates will be posted as received.

Thank you,
Derek Young
Executive Director of Student Life
Dean of Students

Dear Class of 2021,

Since last week’s announcement about Governor Larry Hogan adjusting several COVID-19 restrictions, President Tuajuanda Jordan, with the Commencement Committee and SMCM executive leadership, have revisited graduation plans. To honor our graduates, the College will offer two occasions. First, on May 8, an online virtual commencement celebration will be held to recognize you and share special messages. But we realize that a virtual experience can never replace hearing your name called as you walk across the stage to receive your diploma. Therefore, on Saturday, May 8, we will also offer three in-person Grad Walks at the Jamie L. Roberts Stadium to provide you that experience.

The Grad Walks will be held throughout the day (9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.) with students assigned times based on their major. The class of 2020 will also be invited to participate in the Grad Walks on May 8.

Each Grad Walk will consist of students being called up to the stage to receive their diplomas. A photo will be taken. Each Walk will culminate with President Jordan presenting a charge to the graduates followed by the moving of the tassel. Events for the day will take place rain or shine.

To protect everyone in attendance, we will be implementing required health and safety measures including electronic symptom checkers, social distancing and wearing masks. All Grad Walks will be livestreamed for those unable to or wishing not to attend, as well as to enable family and friends to watch.

Due to changing CDC regulations, no decision has been made regarding guests at the ceremony. If guests are permitted to attend, there will be a restricted ticketing system that would include one or two guests per graduate attending a Grad Walk to ensure we are meeting capacity restrictions. We will inform you of that decision as soon as possible.

The Commencement website will also be updated shortly with more details about the Grad Walks, ordering caps and gowns, the virtual ceremony, and moving out of the residence halls, among other items. Thank you for your patience as the Commencement Committee works to give you a meaningful experience while adhering to necessary and evolving health and safety requirements.

Students with multiple majors will select their preferred Grad Walk in which to participate. Note that due to space limitations and social distancing requirements, graduates will not be permitted to attend the Grad Walks of groups other than the one to which they are assigned. Majors will be broken out for the Grad Walks as follows:

9:00 a.m.:
English, Environmental Studies, History, International Languages & Cultures, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, and Student-Designed Major

12:00 p.m.:
Anthropology, Art, Art History, Asian Studies, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Economics

3:00 p.m.:
Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy Studies, Religious Studies, Sociology; Theater, Film and Media Studies; and Masters of Arts in Teaching

So we can continue to plan for Grad Walks, we ask that each of you take this short survey to indicate your interest in participating.

Sincerely,

Derek Young
Executive Director of Student Life
Dean of Students

Shana Meyer
Vice President for Student Affairs

Dear Class of 2020,

I hope this email finds you well. I'm writing to follow up with you about the in-person Grad Walks planned for Saturday, May 8. In order to help us plan for the Grad Walks we need to know who among you plans to attend. Please complete the Grad Walk Registration & Survey no later than April 23, 2021. Those who do not complete the registration will not be able to participate in the in-person Grad Walks. As a reminder, three Grad Walks are planned for the day broken out by major.

Graduates participating in the Grad Walks will be able to invite two guests to attend (registration coming soon). The Grad Walks will also be live streamed on the College’s Facebook account. Because Grad Walks will take place at the Jamie L. Roberts Stadium rather than the Townhouse Green, we require that flat-soled shoes be worn as high heels damage the playing fields.

All participants and guests will need to complete the COVID-19 symptom tracker and show the green checkmark on their mobile device for entry into the Jamie L. Roberts Stadium. Those without access to a mobile device may complete the symptom checker via alternate means on site. Please make sure to arrive early to allow time for completion. More information about how to complete the symptom tracker survey will be available shortly.

More information on the Grad Walks can be found here. Updates will be posted as received.

Thank you,
Derek Young
Executive Director of Student Life
Dean of Students

Dear Class of 2020,

President Tuajuanda Jordan recently informed you that the College would be unable to hold an in-person commencement for you due to COVID-19 guidelines we must follow. Since then, Governor Larry Hogan adjusted several COVID-19 restrictions, allowing the College to revisit its graduation plans for your class and the class of 2021. As we did for your class, we will be holding a virtual ceremony on May 8 for the Class of 2021. But knowing you wanted a chance to hear your name called as you walk across the stage, President Jordan, along with the Commencement Committee and executive leadership, are now enabling three in-person Grad Walks at the Jamie L. Roberts Stadium on Saturday, May 8, for the Classes of 2021 and 2020.

The combined Grad Walks for the Class of 2020 and 2021 will be held throughout the day (9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.) with students assigned times based on their major.

Each Grad Walk will consist of students being called up to the stage for a photo op. Each Walk will culminate with President Jordan presenting a charge to the graduates followed by the moving of the tassel. While you have officially graduated, you are invited to participate in this experience you missed last year. Events for the day will take place rain or shine.

To protect everyone in attendance, we will be implementing required health and safety measures including electronic symptom checkers, social distancing and wearing masks. All Grad Walks will be livestreamed for those unable to or wishing not to attend, as well as to enable family and friends to watch.

Due to changing CDC regulations, no decision has been made regarding guests at the ceremony. If guests are permitted to attend, there will be a restricted ticketing system that would include one or two guests per graduate attending a Grad Walk to ensure we are meeting capacity restrictions. We will inform you of that decision as soon as possible.

The Commencement website will also be updated shortly with more details about the Grad Walks, ordering caps and gowns, and the virtual ceremony, among other items. Thank you for your patience as the Commencement Committee works to give you a meaningful experience while adhering to necessary health and safety requirements.

Students with multiple majors will select their preferred Grad Walk in which to participate. Note that due to space limitations and social distancing requirements, graduates will not be permitted to attend the Grad Walks of groups other than the one to which they are assigned. Majors will be broken out for the Grad Walks as follows:

9:00 a.m.:
English, Environmental Studies, History, International Languages & Cultures, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, and Student-Designed Major

12:00 p.m.:
Anthropology, Art, Art History, Asian Studies, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Economics

3:00 p.m.:
Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy Studies, Religious Studies, Sociology; Theater, Film and Media Studies; and Masters of Arts in Teaching

So we can continue to plan for Grad Walks, we ask you to take this short survey to indicate your interest in participating.

Sincerely,

Derek Young
Executive Director of Student Life
Dean of Students

Shana Meyer
Vice President for Student Affairs