Purdue commencement team releases initial details for May ceremonies

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University commencement organizers are releasing initial details for the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 15-16 in West Lafayette.

Undergraduate candidates (all schools and colleges), professional candidates (Doctor of Audiology, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Doctor of Pharmacy) and master’s degree candidates will participate in a ceremony at 10 a.m. May 15 at Ross-Ade Stadium. Candidates will need to check in at Lambert Fieldhouse based on the schedule that has been published on the commencement website. Candidates will line up in Parking Lot A starting at 7:15 a.m. The processional will begin at 8:45 a.m. for the 4,679 undergraduate candidates, 213 professional candidates and 612 master’s candidates.

The Graduate School will have its Ph.D. ceremony at 10 a.m. May 16 at Edward C. Elliott Hall of Music. Candidates will need to check in at the Armory (north entrance) starting at 8:30 a.m. The processional will begin at 9:10 a.m. for the 198 doctoral candidates.

The release of tickets will be announced the week of May 10. All guests of candidates in the Ross-Ade ceremony will need to follow the Ross-Ade Stadium bag check as well as follow the policy of clear bags. Limited seating meeting standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act will be available. Parking and shuttle service details for both ceremonies will be released closer to commencement.

Graduate School guests at Elliott Hall of Music will need to have bags checked before entering the building.

Currently, Purdue is allowing a maximum of two guest tickets. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tickets will be for assigned seating at the stadium and Elliott Hall of Music. Tickets cannot be transferred to others. Both ceremonies will be livestreamed.

Purdue President Mitch Daniels will speak at the May 15 ceremony and Purdue Provost Jay Akridge will speak at the May 16 ceremony.

“We are excited to have the ability to have two commencement ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments and next giant leaps of Boilermakers,” said Chris Pass, senior assistant registrar. “Our large commencement working group has been working nonstop in planning the ceremonies and various details needed to make these events special for the Class of 2021.

Students and families will gather at Purdue University for two commencement ceremonies on May 15-16, 2021. (Purdue University photo/John Underwood) Download image

The ceremonies will be held in accordance with Protect Purdue event and visitor guidelines for Commencement week. Any additional specific health and safety information will be communicated closer to the ceremony.

For more information, visit the Purdue commencement website.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.

Writer, Media contact: Matthew Oates, 765-586-7496 (cell), oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates

Source: Chris Pass, dehahn@purdue.edu 

Journalists visiting campus: Journalists should follow Protect Purdue protocols and the following guidelines:

• Campus is open, but the number of people in spaces may be limited. We will be as accommodating as possible, but you may be asked to step out or report from another location.
• To enable access, particularly to campus buildings, we recommend you contact the Purdue News Service media contact listed on the release to let them know the nature of the visit and where you will be visiting. A News Service representative can facilitate safe access and may escort you on campus.
• Correctly wear face masks inside any campus building, and correctly wear face masks outdoors when social distancing of at least six feet is not possible.