;

In previous years, the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs (SGPP) held annual campus commencement ceremonies in the University Center in January, June, and October. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these ceremonies were virtual, and October’s event was combined with January’s. SGGP’s June 5, 2021 ceremony will be virtual. There will be no October 2021 ceremony. Previously, SGPP students in programs administered in Winona participated in the May in-person ceremony. Moving forward, SGPP students will participate only in the Minneapolis ceremonies.

Beginning in 2022, we will have only two days of in-person ceremonies to celebrate our SGPP graduates. One commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 (previously scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022). The other will be in June 2022 (precise date to be determined). We will hold only one ceremony per day. The January ceremony will recognize SGPP students who graduate in the summer and fall, and the June ceremony will recognize those who graduate in the spring. The official date of graduation, not commencement, will appear on students’ transcripts and diplomas, independent of whether they participate in the January or June ceremony.

Beginning Jan. 22, 2022, we will also hold commencement ceremonies off-site at Orchestra Hall. While we appreciate the University Center’s convenience and rich history, the space is not large enough to accommodate one ceremony on each date. In addition to the official commencement ceremonies in January and June, individual programs are welcome to host separate commemorations for their graduates.

Offering two SGPP commencement ceremonies per year at an outside venue aligns with goal five of the strategic plan to steward resources by increasing institutional effectiveness and operational integration and goal three to foster innovation and offer flexibility. Orchestra Hall is a beautiful space that will allow us to celebrate our graduates in style.

Share This
1