Walla Walla University announced Thursday afternoon, May 20, in a campus-wide e-mail from the university’s president, John McVay, that it will host four smaller, in-person commencement programs on its College Place, Wash., campus during the weekend of June 11-13, 2021. The modified commencement programming is part of the university’s effort, in consultation with local authorities, to comply with Washington state’s requirements for higher education and spectator events.

Each of the smaller commencement programs will be ticketed events, allowing only attendees with a university-provided ticket to attend. Standing room will not be available, and those that are unable to attend in person are invited to celebrate by watching a livestream broadcasted on Blue Mountain Television as well as online. Safety measures for in-person attendees such as the wearing of face masks and physically-distanced seating will be enforced.

Graduating students were given instructions to reserve a limited number of tickets for guests to attend. Members of WWU’s graduating Class of 2020 were also invited to participate in this year’s events due to their inability to march at an in-person commencement ceremony last June.

Commencement 2021 events will include:

Master’s degree hooding ceremony and commencement

• Friday, June 11, 4 p.m.

Undergraduate student commencements

• Sunday, June 13, 8:30 a.m.
• Sunday, June 13, 1 p.m. (Program will include a nurses’ pinning, but will also include other undergraduate students)
• Sunday, June 13, 4 p.m.

“Commencement events will look a little different this year,” said McVay. “We are delighted to be back in person. Thank you for your patience, and for helping us safely celebrate the accomplishments of these graduates.”

Walla Walla University currently has 1,737 students enrolled across five campuses in the Pacific Northwest, including College Place, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Anacortes, Washington; and Missoula and Billings, Montana.

More information about the weekend’s festivities is available at wallawalla.edu/grad. Details will be added as they become readily available. The full press release can also be read here.

Posted May 21, 2021