Commencement FAQ
Q: What is the plan for celebrating graduation for the Class of 2020 and 2021?
A: Stevenson University plans to hold in-person commencement ceremonies during the week of May 17-21, 2021, on the Greenspring campus. We have planned 20 separate ceremonies that are specific to class year and major, and allow us to maintain appropriate physical distancing for the safety of our graduates in accord with guidance from public health authorities.
All commencement ceremonies will be live streamed. Virtual ceremony student profiles will be available on the website as well as a recording of the live-steamed events.
No guests will be permitted inside the gym; however, each graduate will receive two tickets for guests to safely view livestream video of the ceremonies at designated campus locations.
Q: When is my ceremony?
A: Click here to view the ceremony schedule.
Q: Where is the ceremony?
A: Commencement ceremonies are in the Manuszak Center Gymnasium on the Greenspring Campus. Graduates will be sent an email with the check-in location and instructions.
Q: When should I arrive?
A: Graduates should arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
Q: How long is the ceremony?
A: Commencement ceremonies will be approximately one hour.
Q: How do I obtain a cap and gown?
A: Cap & Gown purchases are coordinated by The Starting Gate - Campus Store on the Owings Mills Campus. Please call 443-352-4062 or email sustore@stevenson.edu if you have questions.
Q: Why are no guests allowed in the gym?
A: The safety of everyone in the Stevenson community is our primary concern, and the decision to hold in-person Commencement ceremonies carries with it the responsibility to adhere to public health and safety guidelines and practices. The space best suited for hosting the commencement ceremonies this year is the Greenspring gymnasium. There is a limit to the number of students that we can safely seat in the gym with appropriate physical distancing, which is why there is a need to host 20 ceremonies over five days and why guests will not be in the gym.
Q: Why not have graduation outside or in the stadium?
A: Many people on campus have vetted multiple options for an in-person commencement, including an outdoor ceremony. One significant concern about an outdoor ceremony at Stevenson is that we do not have an indoor venue that can seat an appropriate number of students and their families in the event of inclement weather, which is quite common in Maryland during May. We are thrilled that Stevenson will be able to offer in-person commencement ceremonies that will preserve the elements our students value most, including hearing their name called, walking across the stage, turning their tassels, and having a professional photograph taken. Because the commencement ceremonies will be indoors, every student will be able to have this experience, regardless of any weather concerns. We are also pleased that we will be able to offer families the opportunity to be on campus to view the ceremony simultaneously (even if not in the same physical space).
Q: How do I receive my tickets?
A: Graduates participating in an in-person ceremony on the Greenspring Campus will enter the names of their two invited guests in the RSVP section through MarchingOrder. Tickets for the two guests indicated by the graduate will be available at the Guest Check-in area on campus 45 minutes prior to the assigned ceremony.
Q: May I request additional tickets?
A: Each participating graduate will be able to invite two guests to campus. The safety of everyone in the Stevenson community is our primary concern, and the decision to hold in-person Commencement ceremonies carries with it the responsibility to adhere to public health and safety guidelines and practices. Given the limited number of students participating in each ceremony, the number of guests on campus at any one time will also be limited. Two guests per graduate provides us with the ability to offer guests safe venues for watching the ceremonies remotely on campus.
Q: How do I view the ceremony online?
A: The Commencement ceremony will be streaming live online! The link will be available on the SU website.
Q: Will there be professional photographs?
A: Yes. GradImages will be providing photography during each of the ceremonies including when the graduate is on stage and after receiving the “diploma” scroll. GradImages will also be available for individual photos prior to the ceremony at the graduate check-in area. Additionally, there will be photo opportunities several days in April on the Owings Mills campus prior to the ceremonies. Graduates will receive information about these photo opportunities by email. Contact information for the photographers: www.gradimages.com 800-261-2576.
Q: When will I receive my diploma?
A: Diplomas will be sent in the Stevenson University embossed cover via standard U.S. mail the month following degree conferral. For May 2021 graduates diplomas are mailed in June and for August 2021 graduates diplomas are mailed in September.