Four years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the usual high school graduation activities for many graduates in 2020. Now, for the class of 2024, this will be the first time many of them have had an in-person graduation ceremony.
As the graduates prepare to receive their diplomas, here are some things to remember before commencement begins:
Important Dates
Cap and gown pickup for graduates begins on May 2 in Beauchamp Recreation Center and ends on May 3. Graduates should enter from the side door on Warren Street. Pickup begins at 10 a.m. on May 2 and ends at 3 p.m., while pickup on May 3 begins at 10 a.m. and ends early at 1 p.m.
May 3 is also when FGEN has their pinning ceremony at the Buckley Center Auditorium. Doors open at 12 p.m. and the ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. This event does not require tickets or RSVP.
Also on May 3, the School of Nursing and Integrative Health and Wellness (SONHI) pinning ceremony begins at 4:15 p.m. at the Chiles Center with doors opening at 3:15 p.m. This event does not require tickets to attend.
On May 4, activities will begin at 11 a.m. with the ROTC ceremony opening its doors at 10:30 a.m. This will be followed by the Graduate School commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. and the Baccalaureate Mass at 4:30 p.m. in the Chiles Center. The day will round out with a senior toast in the academic quad at 5:45 p.m.
According to Provost David Mengel, the senior toast will provide a space for graduates and their families to socialize, share food and hear from President Robert Kelly.
May 5 marks the day that everyone is waiting for: commencement.
The commencement ceremony will introduce a few changes from previous years, namely that all undergraduates will be in the same ceremony.
Additionally, students are given fewer guest tickets this year, with only six allotted per student.
According to Dr. Mengel, the decision to limit the number of tickets for each student was simply taking into account the number of seats available in Chiles Center.
This is a big change for many students who may have larger families or with relatives coming to visit from out of town. Any additional tickets needed must be given from other students who are not using theirs.
Graduates should head to the Chiles Center at 8:30 a.m. as they must arrive 90 minutes before the ceremony itself in cap and gown. Doors also open to the public at 8:30 a.m. where tickets are required to enter. The ceremony itself begins at 10 a.m. and is slated to have a runtime of two hours and 30 minutes.
Before the graduates’ time on The Bluff comes to an end, there are plenty of activities to participate in. Decorating your graduation cap, getting your grad photos taken and preparing your graduation outfit are all exciting traditions to prepare for commencement.
Also make sure to enjoy the multitude of activities Portland has to offer before you pack up. For friends and family visiting from out of town, Portland's variety of coffee shops, restaurants and bookstores are sure to not disappoint.
Although graduation can be a stressful period, students can reflect on their growth, enjoy the company of friends made along the way and have one more meal at the Pilot House before heading out.
Additional information on the commencement schedule can be found on the UP website.
Antonio Acosta is a reporter for The Beacon. He can be reached at acostaa26@up.edu.
