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Final Commencement Thoughts

by Betsy Chapman

In this Issue:

  • Final advice re: Commencement
  • Reminder: Family Weekend football tickets go on sale May 21
  • We now have yard signs for ’24s and ’28s!

WE MADE IT, P’24s! Commencement weekend is here!!! And we could not be more excited, or more proud.

Hope to congratulate our graduating families at my various posts this weekend: I’ll be working the Class of 2024 Celebration on Saturday night, working on the Quad during the Baccalaureate line up on Sunday morning, and the Info Desk near Reynolda/Kitchin at University Commencement on Monday morning.

Final advice re: Commencement

We sent some important guest information to all P’24 families with graduates the other day (and if you have not read those, please do!) Here are a few additional tips – more on the emotional aspect of making Commencement weekend a more enjoyable process for all, but a couple of practical, tactical reminders too.

  • Be patient – with literally thousands of families and guests coming to campus, there will be times where you encounter a line, or have to wait for something. Or maybe someone in your family (or your graduate!) is running late. In those moments, if you can show grace vs irritation, your family will likely have a more pleasant experience.
  • Stay hydrated, pack a snack – while there will be complimentary water on Monday morning for University Commencement (as well as some food/drink for sale with cash only), if you are the kind of person who likes to have a drink and/or snack option with you at all times, bring a reusable water bottle and refill at the water stations on campus, and pack a snack of choice. If the weekend turns out to be warm and sunny, we don’t want anyone to get overheated or run into a low blood sugar situation. Campus dining halls are not open during the weekend (because families typically like to go out to have family dinners), so be prepared for that.
  • Understand your graduate may act a little differently – they might be excited, or nervous, or dreading saying goodbye to their friends, or feeling pressure to do family things and friend things at once. Every graduate will have their own wants and needs this weekend, and ever family too. Be there with a supportive hug when needed, and let your graduate have their own time when needed.
  • Follow all Commencement guidelines. There is a clear bag policy, a prohibited items list, and information about expected conduct or disruptions. During University Commencement, we ask families to observe the rope barricades and ask that you don’t enter the center aisle and the platform/stage.
  • Have fun! This is a tremendous accomplishment for your student to be graduating from college. Celebrate! Be excited! Show your pride! Go to the Departmental Open Houses and meet the faculty that made an impression on them. Spend time with your student’s friends and see their ‘chosen family’ they’ve surrounded themselves with at Wake.
  • Take pictures. There will be official Commencement pictures taken (and we ask that you stay clear of the stage as your Deac walks across as their name is called). But there will be a million other opportunities to take pictures – of your Deac individually, and as a family, especially with grandparents if they are here. Graduation is a major milestone in your student’s life and transition to full adulthood. Your graduate will want to remember this day, and so will you.

Family Weekend football tickets go on sale May 21

Just a reminder of a big item for next week that I don’t want to get lost in the flurry of Commencement on Monday:

Tickets for the Family Weekend football game (Sept. 28 against Louisiana) will go on sale on Tuesday, May 21 at 10 a.m. Mark your calendar. 

NOTE: Students can get a free ticket to sit in the students’ football section with the Screamin’ Demon Rewards App (ticket claims open at noon the Monday before the game: Sept. 23 at noon ET). If your student wants to sit with you, you will need to purchase a ticket for your student.

For inquiries or to purchase Family Weekend premium or season tickets options, please call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336.758.3322 ext 1 or complete this form to be contacted. The below premium options sell out quickly:

While you can order your football tickets on May 21 via Athletics, registration for Family Weekend events doesn’t open until July 10 (more details on events will come later this summer, but generally speaking the weekend begins on Friday early afternoon and concludes with brunch on Sunday).

We now have yard signs for ’24s and ’28s!

A couple of families had asked me if they could get a yard sign either to announce their student’s college choice, or to celebrate their graduation. We had not been in the yard sign game, but we took that feedback and worked on it and I am proud to say we now offer yard signs via the Bookstore. You can order online.

Take a big, deep breath as Commencement weekend begins, and savor every moment! GO DEACS!

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