Springfield College Announces Plans for 2021 Commencement Ceremonies

Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper announced the College’s plans for the 2021 Commencement Ceremonies, the weekend of May 14-16. The festivities will begin on Friday, May 14 with a virtual opening celebration streamed live starting at 6:30 p.m. Following Friday’s opening celebration, the College will host eight separate in-person ceremonies, four on Saturday, May 15 and four on Sunday, May 16, at Stagg Field on the Springfield College main campus. All ceremonies will be streamed live on springfield.edu, including the in-person ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday.

“After such a challenging year, these celebrations are something to look forward to and a wonderful way to celebrate the accomplishments of our students,” said Cooper. “Student input in these decisions has been important and helpful, including responses to the survey and student leader involvement on the Commencement Committee.”

The following is a breakdown of the weekend ceremonies, which will be school based:

School of Health Sciences 

May 15 - 8:30 a.m. Graduate Commencement 

May 15 - 11:30 a.m. Undergraduate Commencement

School of Arts and Sciences

May 15 - 3:00 p.m. Graduate Commencement

May 15 - 6:00 p.m. Undergraduate Commencement

School of Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership

May 16 - 8:30 a.m. Graduate Commencement

May 16 - 11:30 a.m. Undergraduate Commencement

School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences

May 16 - 3:00 p.m. Graduate Commencement

May 16 - 6:30 p.m. Undergraduate Commencement

Each ceremony is expected to be approximately 60 to 75 minutes in length. Graduates who have completed a degree application will receive an email with instructions for registering guests and those tickets will be valid for the specified ceremony only. No tickets will be available during Commencement Weekend.

“With the exception of Friday’s virtual event, the ceremonies will be in person gatherings, designed to comply with the restrictions in place by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, while retaining elements of Commencement that are important to our students,” added Cooper. “Each graduate will be permitted to invite up to two guests to the in-person Commencement ceremonies, something we know is important to our students and is made possible because of the Commencement guidelines provided by the Commonwealth. The ceremonies will also be live streamed on springfield.edu, but having some guests on campus is a positive step.”

In between ceremonies, the Commencement and guest areas, including the chairs and stage, will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, and all graduates and guests will be required to wear face coverings at all times and adhere to social-distancing guidelines. All seating at Stagg Field will allow for appropriate six-foot social distancing between graduates and between guest groups.

In addition, the Springfield College main campus will be open to graduating students and their guests on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16, to allow graduates to take photos with their friends and families at their favorite outdoor campus locations before or after their ceremony.

More information will be made available in the coming days and weeks ahead as the College prepares for the 2021 Commencement Weekend.

Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country. Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy – educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.