Commencement 2021

Congratulations on your impending graduation from Lenoir-Rhyne University!
Here are some important facts and deadlines you need to know. 

Commencement Ceremonies

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Hickory Undergraduate Baccalaureate (10 a.m.)

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

LTSS Baccalaureate (6 p.m.)

Thursday, May 6, 2021

• Class of 2021 and Class of 2020 - Columbia Commencement (10 a.m.)
• Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 - Hickory Graduate Commencement (6 p.m.) 

Friday, May 7, 2021  

• Class of 2021 - Hickory Undergraduate Commencement (9 a.m.)
• Class of 2020 - Hickory Undergraduate Commencement (6 p.m)

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Class of 2021 and Class of 2020 - Asheville Commencement (10 a.m.)

Cap and Gowns 

Order your cap and gown NOW! Visit www.orderhj.com/lr and purchase your regalia. Regalia is required to walk in the commencement ceremony, so don’t miss out. The deadline to order is April 16.
You will not be able to order your cap and gown after this date from Herff Jones or the LR Bookstore!!

Commencement Registration

Register to attend your commencement ceremony TODAY! Due to the pandemic protocols, we need a head count for the ceremony. Please register no later than April 5.

Register 

Guest Tickets 

Due to pandemic protocols, Lenoir-Rhyne University must limit guests attendance at all of our ceremonies. Each degree candidate will be able to invite four guests only and candidates cannot share tickets. This is to ensure 4 guests who come together also sit together.

You can obtain your guests tickets in three ways:

1. Attend Grad Fair. You not only receive your tickets but also FREE STUFF. See Grad Fair dates and times below.
2. Come by the President’s Office April 12 – 23, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The President’s Office is located on the second floor of Lineberger, across from the Business Office.
3. If you are not in the Hickory area, please complete this form and provide your mailing address.

Grad Fair

Come by Shaw Plaza (inside Cromer if raining) to pick up some goodies! You can also pick up ticket wrist bands (required for your guests), honor cords and check off any last minute items. If you cannot attend, please notify Cameron Womack, Director of Commencement, as soon as possible at cameron.womack@lr.edu.

Grad Fair Dates

• Tuesday April 6, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Wednesday April 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Thursday April 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Cameron Womack, director of commencement, at cameron.womack@lr.edu or 828.328.7334.

Maps & Directions

Hickory Commencement Ceremony Details 

TO: Class of 2020
FR: Dr. Fred Whitt, President
DT: February 4, 2021

In the fall we surveyed the Class of 2020 to gauge your preferences for a commencement ceremony. The results were clear: You prefer a separate, in-person ceremony that celebrates the Class of 2020. We also promised to provide an update on plans in February. 

We are working diligently to make plans to appropriately honor your accomplishments. At this time, we are hopeful that we will be able to host in-person ceremonies. In order to make these ceremonies as safe as possible, we are considering outdoor ceremonies, limiting guests and implementing social distancing among participants.

We plan to hold a ceremony for the Class of 2020 on Friday, May 7, in Hickory (the time has yet to be determined). This ceremony will be separate from the ceremony for the Class of 2021 and will include undergraduate and graduate degree recipients from the Hickory campus. 

Of course, conditions related to the pandemic are continually changing, and we may have to change course. We will continue to consult with local public health agencies and will follow all state guidelines as we develop our plans. Any updates to the spring ceremonies will be available on our Commencement website, via email and social media.

We have some received inquiries about ordering caps and gowns. You may purchase them online directly from Herff Jones at www.OrderHJ.com/LR. Please note that the last day to order online is Thursday, April 15.

If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Commencement Cameron Womack at cameron.womack@lr.edu or 828.328.7334.

Thank you for your patience. I look forward to celebrating with you.

TO: Class of 2020
FR: Dr. Fred Whitt, President
DT: February 3, 2021
RE: Commencement Plans

Though the calendar only says February, spring Commencement is around the corner. The current schedule for the Class of 2021 is:

Wednesday, April 28

• Class of 2021 - Hickory Undergraduate Baccalaureate (10 a.m.)

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

• Class of 2021 - LTSS Baccalaureate (Time TBD)

Thursday, May 6, 2021

• Class of 2021 - Columbia Commencement (10 a.m.)

Friday, May 7, 2021

• Class of 2021 - Hickory Graduate Ceremony (Time TBD)
• Class of 2021 - Hickory Undergraduate Commencement (Time TBD)
• Class of 2020 - Hickory Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement (Time TBD)

Saturday, May 8, 2021

• Asheville Commencement (10 a.m.)

At this time, we are hopeful that we will be able to host in-person ceremonies. In order to make these ceremonies as safe as possible, we are considering outdoor ceremonies, limiting guests and implementing social distancing among participants.

Of course, conditions related to the pandemic are continually changing, and we may have to change course. We will continue to consult with local public health agencies and will follow all state guidelines as we develop our plans. Any updates to the spring ceremonies will be available on our website, via email and social media.

We have some received inquiries about ordering caps and gowns. You may purchase them online directly from Herff Jones at www.OrderHJ.com/LR. Please note that the last day to order online is Thursday, April 15, 2021.

If you have any questions, please contact Cameron Womack, director of commencement, cameron.womack@lr.edu or 828.328.7334.

TO: Class of 2020
FR: Dr. Fred Whitt, President
DT: October 5, 2020
RE: Class of 2020 Commencement Update

In September, we fielded a survey to the Class of 2020 to ask their opinion on a commencement ceremony. Thank you to all those who took the time to share their thoughts.

We received more than 200 responses, and the feedback was clear. The Class of 2020 prefers to have a traditional, in-person ceremony that is separate from a ceremony from the Class of 2021.

Due to the current climate of the pandemic, we will look to reschedule the Class of 2020 commencement ceremony to May 2021. We aim to provide an update with more specific details, like day and time, by early February 2021.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. We look forward to celebrating with you next spring!