The following message was sent to members of the Class of 2020 who registered for Commencement weekend, September 17-18, 2021

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Dear [GRADUATE NAME],

We can not wait to welcome you back to campus this weekend as the class of 2020! Please share this information with your friends and family members in preparation for the weekend. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Bottom Line Up Front

  • Your parking pass and ticket pickup information is included in this email.
  • If you haven’t already, please record your name in ‘NameCoach’.

Schedule of Events

Friday

  • Ticket Pick-Up: 2-10 p.m., Magnolia Patio (Reynolda Hall)
  • Tunnel and Tower Tours: Throughout the afternoon. Capacity has been reached.
    • If you have a reservation, you may meet directly in front of Wait Chapel. Masks are required. Individuals registered for these tours will receive more information this week.
  • Class of 2020 Celebration: 8:30-10:30 p.m., Manchester Plaza
    • Before the band, Sol Fusion, kicks off the weekend festivities, the brief program will begin at 8:45 p.m. with a special greeting from our 14th president, Dr. Susan R. Wente.
    • The first drink is on us – after that, additional bar tickets may be purchased – credit card only (no cash).
    • Attire: Dressy Casual

Saturday

  • 2020 Commencement Ceremony: 9-10:30 a.m., Hearn Plaza
  • Graduates, Family and Faculty Reception: 10:30 a.m.-Noon, Hearn Plaza
  • Class of 2020 Tailgate:12:30-3 p.m., Baity Street
    • The first drink is on us – after that, additional bar tickets may be purchased – credit card only (no cash). 

General Information

Commencement Ceremony

  • The Commencement ceremony will be broadcast via live streaming on the Wake Forest homepage (wfu.edu).
  • For guests who would prefer to sit indoors for the ceremony, Wait Chapel will open at 7:30 am for live stream viewing. Seats are first-come, first-served.
  • Accessible seating will be available on the Zick’s patio.
  • Entry gates open at 7:30 am. We ask that guests not arrive on campus earlier than this time.
  • For guests, we recommend lightweight, layered clothing. It is perfectly acceptable to remove jackets or ties (or not to wear them) as you see fit. 

Commencement Ceremony Student Line-up Instructions

Please arrive at LOT N (between Kitchin and Poteat) in your regalia no later than 8:15 a.m. The University Registrar will be distributing name & lineup cards at this time.

We ask that students wear their cap and gown. If a cap and gown is not available, business attire is allowed.  Caps and gown can be purchased in the Bookstore.

Parking Information

Parking on campus will be limited. You are welcome to park in any available campus spaces, but you will need your printed electronic parking pass. This pass is included at the bottom of this email.  Please print out your parking pass and place it on your car dashboard. Due to limited parking, we ask that you and your guests only bring one car to campus. 

Friday

  • Additional parking will be available at 2400 Reynolda, formerly BB&T University Center
  • Shuttles will run continuously to and from campus, beginning at 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
  • Reynolda 2400 is accessible from Reynolda Road and Silas Creek Parkway. Please show your Commencement ticket to ride the shuttle.
  • Masks are required while riding the WFU shuttle.

Saturday

  • Additional parking will be available at 2400 Reynolda, formerly BB&T University Center.
  • Shuttles will run continuously to and from campus, beginning at 7:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
  • Reynolda 2400 is accessible from Reynolda Road and Silas Creek Parkway. Please show your Commencement ticket to ride the shuttle.
  • Masks are required while riding the WFU shuttle.

Rideshares

Rideshares, such as Uber or Lyft, require a parking pass to enter campus on Commencement weekend. Please advise your driver that two entrances will allow access to campus: University Parkway and Reynolda Road. Drivers will need to drop off their guests in the circle lot in front of the ZSR Library. Drivers may also drop guests off at 2400 Reynolda to take one of the shuttle buses onto campus.

Parking Pass

Click here to download your parking pass. [passes were linked in the email graduates received] 

Ticket Pickup

All complimentary event tickets are available for pick up on Friday, September 17, from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. on the Magnolia Patio (Reynolda Hall). Only graduates may pick up tickets with a picture I.D. Each graduate will receive the number of tickets they registered for; additional tickets are not available.

What happens if I can’t make it to the ticket pick-up on Friday?

The campus bookstore will open during Commencement and tickets may be picked up starting at 8 a.m. 

Inclement Weather Plan

Commencement will be held rain or shine. If the weather forecast calls for rain, please be sure to pack appropriate rain gear for the ceremony. If the forecast suggests a threat to safety or conditions that would prevent us from holding Commencement outside, the University will announce a move inside Wait Chapel.

Moving the event indoors to Wait Chapel will impact capacity and will limit the number of guests who can attend. Students will receive rain plan tickets for their guests. Guests without a rain plan ticket may view the ceremony via live-stream from Brendle Recital Hall in Scales Fine Arts Center. Please make sure your guests have their rain plan tickets with them for the appropriate venue. We regret that we cannot offer additional Wait Chapel rain tickets due to seating limits.

Security Preparations

As part of Wake Forest’s security measures for Commencement weekend events, all bags will be checked. For a list of prohibited items and more information please visit the Wake Forest University website Bag Check Information.

Public Health Guidelines

While proof of vaccination isn’t required for guests, we encourage vaccinations for all. More than 90 percent of our campus community is vaccinated. We greatly appreciate the willingness of everyone in the Wake Forest community to adhere to and follow health and safety guidelines to support the safety of all Wake Foresters.

Currently, all academic buildings are closed to visitors, and masks are required in all indoor spaces.

For additional information regarding steps the University is taking to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission on campus, we strongly encourage you to review the University’s COVID-19 Notice.

Sincerely,

Office of Commencement
Wake Forest University
commencement@wfu.edu

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support.