Commencement

I am pleased to announce that Millersville University is planning to honor the Classes of 2020 and 2021 by hosting in-person Commencement ceremonies in May!

Thursday, May 6 at 5 p.m.
Undergraduate ceremony for May 2020, December 2020 and winter 2021 graduates

Friday, May 7 at 5 p.m.
Graduate ceremony for Spring 2020 and Spring 2021 Grad Studies graduates

Saturday, May 8:
Undergraduate ceremonies for May 2021 undergraduates

• 10 a.m. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences & Lombardo College of Business
• 3 p.m. College of Education and Human Services & College of Science and Technology

The ceremonies are scheduled to be held outdoors in Biemesderfer stadium, rain or shine. Various safety measures will include appropriate social distancing, limiting potential touchpoints and the requirement to wear facial coverings. Registration and tickets will be required for all graduates and their guests.

While aspects of the in-person ceremony will be a bit different than previous ones, we are committed to holding a meaningful celebration. We realize that not all graduates or their families will be able to travel to campus to attend the ceremony, so all ceremonies will be livestreamed and archived for viewing at a later date.

April 20 was the deadline to register for your commencement ceremony.

An email was sent in early April containing information on how to register and reserve guest tickets for commencement. If you have not received this please contact special.events@millersville.edu.

Throughout our planning process, safety precautions have been at the forefront and will continue to aid our decision-making in regards to public health and safety and in compliance with government directives. If circumstances require, we are creating an alternate plan to host the ceremonies as livestreamed virtual events.

This website will be updated as details continue to be confirmed. Please note that future communications about commencement will be provided to graduates by email.

The entire campus community is looking forward to celebrating the extraordinary achievements of our graduates in May!

Dr. Vilas A. Prabhu
Provost and VP for Academic Affairs

To accommodate physical distancing and other public health guidelines, modifications to the traditional ceremony are necessary. These include, but are not limited to:

• No student processional; students will be seated on the field as they arrive
• Physically distanced seating for students and guests
• Students will be individually recognized at the ceremony, but will not participate in the traditional handshake with the president. Students will have their picture taken with the president as they cross the stage and then individually as they depart the stage.
• Face coverings will be required for students and guests while in the stadium.

Each student will receive 4 guest tickets to the Postponed Spring 2020 and Spring 2021 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies.

• Tickets will be released to students in late April.
• Tickets are required; no assigned or saved seating.
• Guests will be clustered in groups of 2 to 4 people per graduate and each group will be physically distanced from other groups.
• No additional tickets will be available the day of the event.
• Students should not exchange tickets to help maintain physically distanced seating clusters.

Students will be seated on the field by college. Each seat on the field will be physically distanced from other seats. The ceremony will begin promptly at the designated start time. When it is your turn to cross the stage, commencement marshals will guide you on when to stand up, where to line up, and when to march across the stage. As you are placed in line to cross the stage, please maintain 6 feet of distance between you and the person in front of you. Be sure to have your grad pass ready to scan prior to crossing the stage. As you cross the stage, you will have an opportunity to have your photo taken with the President. However, there will not be a traditional handshake. You will return to your seat as directed by a commencement marshal. When the ceremony concludes you will be directed by commencement marshals to exit the field. After exiting students should plan for where they will meet their guests after the ceremony.

The perfect way to tell the world you're graduating from Millersville! Lawn signs can be purchased through the University Store. Multiple options are available including some which can be customized with your name. Visit https://www.mville.store/search/Lawn+sign/ to see all the available options.

Graduates should arrive at check-in dressed and ready to participate for the ceremony. Students should be mindful of weather conditions of the outdoor ceremony, and should dress accordingly. If there is a threat of severe weather, the in-person ceremony will be cancelled for graduates and guests, and will transition to a virtual ceremony which will be live-streamed. If you are participating in the ceremony, you are required to wear the appropriate academic regalia which is available for purchase through the University Bookstore. You are encouraged to place your order no later than April 28. Orders can be shipped to you or picked up at the Bookstore.

Watch this video to learn how to look your best in commencement regalia.

Footwear: Please be advised that spiked heels are not allowed on the field. You will be walking and standing as well as climbing stairs, so it is recommended that you wear flats or a low wedge heel.

• Gates will open one hour prior to the ceremony. Graduates will check in with their Grad Pass at registration and proceed directly to their seat on the field. Ticketed guests will enter through the main stadium gates. No beverages may be brought into the stadium. Bottled water will be provided to graduates and will be available for guests to purchase.
• To ensure the safety of graduates, guests, faculty, staff and volunteers, everyone is required to wear a facial covering and is requested to maintain appropriate physical distancing. Hand sanitization stations will be available throughout the venue.
• Anticipated length of the ceremony is approximately 1½ hours – depending on number of graduates participating.

Parking Map - click to view

If you have any questions, send an email to commencement@millersville.edu.