Texas Christian University announced today that Commencement ceremonies are being planned for all Class of 2020 graduates, including those from May, August and December, in May 2021. The university also will allow all Class of 2020 graduates to participate in any future scheduled Commencement, if they are unable to participate in May 2021.
“We want to ensure that every 2020 graduate has the opportunity to walk across the stage, when it is safe to do so,” Chancellor Victor J. Boschini said. “This is a very special class – which will be remembered throughout history for its adaptability, innovation and resilience. The May 2021 ceremonies are in addition to the online celebrations and virtual party on Aug. 8 and Homecoming reception, planned for fall 2021.”
The university previously announced it would be unable to host the Aug. 8 Commencement ceremonies for May and August 2020 graduates due to the surge in coronavirus cases across the region and state. TCU also revised its Fall 2020 calendar to shorten the semester and reduce travel, and scheduled December 2020 Commencement for May 2021.
May 2021 ceremonies
The May 2021 ceremonies for the Class of 2020 are planned for 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, May 7, (with an additional ceremony planned for 12 p.m. May 7, if needed). All graduates who intend to walk in May 2021 will be required to notify the university no later than March 1, 2021.
*Please note that as the pandemic continues to evolve, so will the university’s plans.
Future ceremonies
All 2020 graduates from May, August and December are invited to participate in any future Commencement to ensure each graduate who chooses to walk will have the opportunity to do so. Should 2020 graduates choose to walk in a future Commencement other than the ceremonies in May 2021, the graduate’s name will be read with the degree earned and any honors followed by “from the Class of 2020.”
All graduates will be required to notify the university if they intend to walk. If a 2020 graduate decides to walk in December 2021, the notification deadline is October 1, 2021. Future deadlines will be posted on commencement.tcu.edu.
How to RSVP for a future ceremony
The Registrar’s Office has created a separate email account specific to the Class of 2020 for these notifications ‑ graduation_rsvp@tcu.edu.
Regalia at no charge
Regalia for any Commencement ceremony that graduates from the Class of 2020 choose to walk in will be paid for by TCU.