Winter graduation returns to traditional ceremony
Photo by Sydney Pressley
Lee University is gearing up for Winter 2021 graduation, which begins on Dec. 10. This will be Lee’s first graduation without COVID-19 protocols since the global pandemic began.
In May 2021, Lee hosted six graduation ceremonies throughout the weekend to accommodate for social distancing but will return to normal graduation proceedings for the December cycle.
The Lee graduation experience consists of three events: a hooding ceremony for master and doctoral students, commissioning and commencement.
The Commissioning Ceremony will feature undergraduate and graduate student speakers who will share their Lee University stories. During this ceremony, each graduate will cross the stage to receive their personalized Bible.
Following the Friday, Dec. 10 commissioning ceremony, there is a non-ticketed and no-cost reception for graduates and their attendees. At the commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 11, degrees are conferred, and academic achievement is recognized.
The hooding ceremony is reserved for students completing their master’s, educational specialist or doctoral degrees and their guests. Graduating students will speak, and each student will cross the stage to be hooded by their graduate program director and academic dean. Immediately following the hooding ceremony, there will be a brief reception for students to visit with faculty and guests before leaving for the commissioning ceremony.
Guest tickets will be given to graduating students at the graduation rehearsal. The number of tickets is pre-determined, and students were notified approximately four weeks before graduation. There will be an overflow venue available for guests without tickets, and the graduating proceedings will be livestreamed for those at home.
Handicap parking, located in designated lots near each venue, will be available for guests with accessibility needs and seating accommodations. Campus Security will be available to help direct guests to these lots.
Guest seating will be paused 15 minutes before the start of the ceremonies, so guests are encouraged to find seating 30 minutes prior.
Childcare will be provided at the Early Learning Center, located next to the School of Nursing, for children up to four years old. Childcare will open 30 minutes before the student line-up.
Guests are encouraged to abstain from the use of mobile photography and videography. Lee provides photos and videos for graduates and attendees and can be obtained on the Lee University website.
For more information about graduation, contact the graduation office at (423) 614-8117.
