The University of Delaware’s Commencement exercises for the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020 will be celebrated through a series of smaller, in-person ceremonies on Friday, May 28, Saturday, May 29, and Sunday, May 30, along with the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on Thursday, May 27.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to attend.

1.  Tickets are required for all Commencement ceremonies. 

• Guest tickets should have been reserved in advance of the ceremony.  There are no on-site tickets available.
• Graduates will pick up their tickets the day of their ceremony at check-in before they enter the stadium. The ticket will also serve as their name card to be read as they process across stage. Hold onto this card!

2.  Face masks that cover both the nose and the mouth are required for graduates and their guests.

3.  Gates open two hours before each ceremony. Please arrive early to allow time to go through the security check and graduate check-in. As a reminder, attendees will not be permitted to bring in umbrellas, alcohol, balloons, banners, signs, noisemakers or backpacks.

4.  Both graduates and their guests are required to show a green check mark from the health check questionnaire before entering the stadium.

5.  Graduates will process across the platform and have their names read. GradImages will be onsite to take photographs of each graduate as they walk.

6.  Commencement is a rain or shine event; please dress accordingly. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony may be shortened.

7.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no concessions available for purchase at the ceremonies. Guests are encouraged to bring a sealed, non-alcoholic beverage and snacks.

8.  All events will be webcast on UD Live.

9.  Each ceremony will last approximately two to three hours.

10.  Share the experience on social media using #UDGrad2020, #UDGrad2021 and #BlueHensForever.

Please see the full schedule of events below.

Commencement Events

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Doctoral Hooding Ceremony for 2020 and 2021 doctoral candidates

• Gates open: 2:30 p.m.
• Ceremony: 4-6 p.m.

Friday, May 28, 2021

Ceremony 1 : College of Arts and Sciences

• Gates open: 7 a.m.
• Student Check-In: 7:30 a.m.
• Ceremony: 9 a.m.-noon

Ceremony 2: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, and College of Engineering

• Gates open: 5 p.m.
• Student Check-In: 5:30 p.m.
• Ceremony: 7-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Ceremony 3: College of Education and Human Development and College of Health Sciences

• Gates open: 7 a.m.
• Student Check-In: 7:30 a.m.
• Ceremony: 9-11:30 a.m.

Ceremony 4: Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and Biden School of Public Policy and Administration

• Gates open: 5 p.m.
• Student Check-In: 5:30 p.m.
• Ceremony: 7-9:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Class of 2020 Commencement for all graduates

• Gates open: 8:30 a.m.
• Student Check-In: 9 a.m.
• Ceremony: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

For more information, visit UD's Commencement website.