FOR 2020 GRADUATES

Moravian University is committed to the health and safety of all our graduates, guests, and community members. Public health guidelines, state restrictions, and the University’s Health and Safety Plan for COVID-19 will remain in effect for all Commencement-related events. All attendees coming to campus will be required to wear a mask covering the mouth and nose at all times, maintain 6-foot physical distancing, and follow other good health practices such as not touching your face and covering your mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing. Anyone failing to comply will not be permitted access to the ceremony and will be required to leave. This is for the health and safety of our entire community and no exceptions will be made. Disposable masks will be available on-site should you need a replacement mask.

Each ceremony will be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend:

• Class of 2020 5:30 pm ceremony: moravian.edu/2020-livestream
• 2020 Commencement Program (PDF)

The Moravian University Class of 2020 will be celebrated in one ceremony. Students will be required to RSVP in order to attend. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 8th at 5:30 pm outside on John Makuvek Field, rain or shine. Should there be severe weather that threatens personal safety, the celebration will shift indoors (see SEVERE WEATHER PLAN section for further details).

The online RSVP form will open at 7:00 am on Monday, March 29 and remain open until April 14.  Graduates will receive an email at their Moravian email address with the link to RSVP.  All Class of 2020 graduates are required to RSVP by April 14 in order to be able to participate in the in-person ceremony. The only way to secure tickets for your guests is to RSVP for your intended ceremony. All graduates should RSVP as soon as possible.  Guests will be given assigned seating based on when their graduate submits their ceremony RSVP.  Please see more information about guest tickets in the GUEST SEATING AND TICKETS section.

Please follow these RSVP steps between March 29 (at 7:00 am) and April 14:

• Access the online RSVP form through the link provided in the email you will receive at 7:00 am on March 29.
• Enter your Moravian University email address (NOTE: you must use the email address where you received the registration link RSVP Form for Class of 2020). 
• Once your account is registered, you will receive an email confirmation prompting you to create a password.
• Log in to the online RSVP system and complete the form:
  • Within the form, you will be able to RSVP, provide the phonetic spelling of your name, and record your name to help ensure it is announced correctly at the ceremony.
  • Please note: The RSVP and name collection portions of the site will close on April 14 and will not be able to be reopened under any circumstances. 
  • Upon completion of the form, be certain to click Submit. You will receive an email confirmation.

What happens next?

• Once the Online RSVP System closes on April 14th, a professional announcer will record every graduate’s name that RSVP’d YES by this deadline, using the phonetic spelling and recording you provided in order to pronounce your name correctly.
• If you completed the RSVP on time but did not provide phonetic spelling or record your name, your name will still be recorded in advance using professional judgment.
• Prior to the in-person ceremonies, all graduates that confirmed their participation in one of our in-person ceremonies will receive an email directing them to log in to their account to access their GradPass. You will have the ability to download the GradPass to your phone or print it (we highly recommend printing it). The GradPass will include your ceremony information, check-in time, and QR code that is linked to your recorded name and will be scanned just prior to your walk across the stage. Having your GradPass is mandatory!

• Your GradPass (on your phone AND a printed copy)
• Your mask, cap, gown, hood, and any other college-approved cords or stoles
• Any items you may need for the weather (umbrella, rain poncho, sunscreen, sunglasses)
• Wear your mask over your mouth and nose at all times
• Please keep in mind that physical distancing guidelines will be in effect throughout the entire commencement ceremony process
• Please also keep in mind that high heels and chewing gum are not permitted on Makuvek Field

All students participating in commencement ceremonies are expected to wear official Moravian University academic regalia. Deadlines have passed for ordering. 

Details regarding your cap and gown:

Regalia for the Class of 2020

The Moravian Bookshop will be setting up a mobile store on Main Campus during all in-person ceremonies. They will be selling all of their graduate and family favorite merchandise so you can get any Moravian University gear before heading off campus for your post-graduation celebration.

Each graduate can invite up to three guests. Those three guests will be seated together, but physically distanced from others, in “pod-style” seating. Each pod is assigned just for those graduate’s guests. Tickets are non-transferable to other students and tickets are required for all guests over the age of two.

Guest seating pods placement on the field will be assigned after the graduate completes the online RSVP form. Tickets will be available for graduates to download or email to their three guests after April 30. Graduates will also receive an email notifying them when the tickets are accessible. Tickets (whether downloaded on a phone or printed) are required on-site for entry for all guests.

Graduates must bring their GradPass with them to student check-in, and should plan on coming to campus no earlier than the scheduled times listed here for each ceremony.  Please maintain physical distancing at all times.

The processional starts promptly 20 minutes before the ceremony begins. Students, with help from the University and Seminary Marshals, will process onto the field, proceed to the graduate designated seating, and remain standing until President Grigsby invites all to be seated.

Conferral of Degrees

When it is time for the conferring of degrees, Provost Cynthia Kosso will go to the podium and request that all doctoral degree candidates rise and be presented for degrees. All students receiving doctoral degrees should stand. Following President Grigsby’s statement of conferral immediately after, doctoral candidates will be seated again. Master’s degree candidates will be presented next and should stand and sit when indicated. Finally, Bachelor’s degree candidates will be presented and stand and sit when indicated.

Crossing the Stage

The first row of graduates will be instructed by staff at the stage ramp to stand and proceed to the stage ramp on the right, followed in order by remaining rows. Students must have their GradPasses ready to scan upon reaching the stage ramp. Once a student’s name is announced, the student should cross the platform to receive a diploma cover from President Grigsby. The photography company, GradImages, will capture this moment with a picture. Next, the student proceeds to the other end of the stage, walks down the stage ramp, returns to the same seat, and immediately sits down.

Some students will receive specific awards, which are listed in the program. At the appropriate time, those students will be asked to form a line on the right-hand ramp in the order that names appear in the program. As each award recipient's name is called, the recipient will cross the platform to receive the award from President Grigsby, and then return to the same seat and immediately sit down. All graduates who have received prizes and awards earlier in the term will then be asked to stand and be recognized in place.

The departure from Makuvek Field will be led by the Faculty Marshals, the Presidential Party, and the Faculty. Once the Faculty have cleared the seating area, Student Marshals will dismiss graduates by row and graduates must exit out of Makuvek Field. No photographs will be allowed on the field. Graduates must meet their guests outside of Makuvek Field: no exceptions. We recommend you have a prearranged meeting location with your guests.

• All College parking lots will be open to guests, although some may be designated as handicapped parking only. Campus police will be available to assist with directions and traffic control. Please leave ample time to find parking before Commencement begins.
• Shuttle service will be available from Lot X before and after the Commencement ceremony.
• A map showing campus parking lots is available online: www.moravian.edu/campusmaps

• It is strongly recommended that those with mobility issues be dropped off in the vicinity of the Haupert Union Building (HUB). Drop-off and pick-up will be on W. Laurel St. between Orchard St. and Monocacy St. in the posted area.
• Handicapped parking will be available in Lots I, J, and where designated on W. Laurel Street between Monocacy and Gessinger Streets. Campus police will be on-site to assist.
• The campus entrance at Main St. & W. Locust St. will be closed to traffic after 8:30 a.m.
• Accessible restrooms are available on the lower and upper levels of the HUB.
• Some ADA seating will be available on the HUB portico although guests are also welcome to seat themselves on the field.
• Moravian University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all of its programs and activities. If you, or a guest, require special access on campus, please contact the Director of Accessibility Support via phone (610) 861-1401 or email, aasc@moravian.edu at least two weeks prior to commencement.

• The College has arranged for a professional photographer to take pictures of graduates receiving their diplomas. GradImages will contact you after the ceremony to ask if you would like to purchase the photo.
• Due to physical distancing protocols, guests will not be allowed near the stage area.
• In order to be respectful to all graduates, other professional photographers are not permitted.

• A professional videographer will record the entire Commencement ceremony and it will be available to view and download free of charge approximately one month after the ceremony.
  • Check back here for the ceremony links once they are posted.

• Bouquets of roses are available for pre-purchase.  There will also be a limited supply of cash-and-carry on Commencement day.
• All proceeds benefit the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley, a nonprofit, United Way agency. Orders may be placed online: http://cvclv.org/fundraisers-events/graduation-rose-sale1/ or you can print and mail the order form.

• Commencement will be held on campus on Saturday, May 8th regardless of the weather.
• Unless there is weather that threatens personal safety, the Commencement ceremony generally continues outside. Please come prepared for the weather (umbrella, raincoat, hat, sunscreen, etc).
• In the unlikely event of severe weather, a commencement celebration event will be held in Johnston Hall and will not include a traditional ceremony. Rather, the graduate and their three guests will move through the event together but socially distanced from others, making their way to the stage and culminate in a traditional stage crossing where guests will be front and center to cheer. To-go treats and a personal send-off from our cheering faculty and staff will complete the journey.
• Graduates will be assigned a 15-minute time slot to arrive on campus which will be listed on their GradPass, which will be sent to the graduate by May 1 to their Moravian email address.
• ADA drop off and pick up for the severe weather plan event will be in parking Lot F behind Johnston Hall.
• The severe weather announcement, if needed, will be posted on Friday, May 7 by 5:00 p.m. on the University’s website, and also communicated via campus email.

• A Moravian legacy is a daughter, son, granddaughter, grandson, sister, brother, niece, nephew, or any direct relative of a Moravian University graduate.
• Immediately following Commencement all legacy graduates are invited to a complimentary photo session with their Moravian alumni family member(s). These photos will be printed in the summer edition of the Moravian Magazine.
• Location to be determined; please contact Justin DeRenzis, Assistant Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement, at derenzisj@moravian.edu.

Live-streaming video of the event will be captioned. Guests watching the video in the provided, on-campus locations or live streaming at home will see the text displayed. A separate text-only website is also available, www.moravian.edu/captions, which is a more data-plan-friendly option for people using their personal mobile devices.

Parking & Emergencies
Campus Police
610-861-1421

Gowns, Announcements & Gifts
Bookstore
610-861-1485

Accessibility Services
Accessibility Services Center
610-861-1401

General Questions
Office of the Provost
610-861-1348