! ! ! ! ! ! !
!January 21, 2021
Dear Parents and Friends:
I am pleased to write to you with information concerning the College’s 238
th
Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 23, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. We all look forward to
this graduation and the celebration of the Class of 2021!
As I know you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed much of how our spring
semester will take place and how to structure graduation is something that required some
additional evaluation. After much consideration, I am pleased to announce that we are
moving forward with plans for an in-person commencement for our graduates.
Our ability to host guests beyond the graduates is still undetermined as it will largely depend
on outside factors that are simply unknown at present. We will continue to monitor
conditions and hope to allow each graduate to invite a select number of guests. We always
live stream our commencement ceremonies and will, of course, plan to do so for this
commencement as well.
Your main source of information about commencement will be the College’s
commencement webpage (https://www.washcoll.edu/campus-
events/commencement/index.php), which will be updated throughout the spring semester.
Please check back periodically for updates and schedule information.
As a reminder, all students must be certified by the Director of Student Records and
Registration as having completed all degree requirements before they can participate in
Commencement. This certification process begins after all Spring 2021 final grades have
been submitted. Students are kept fully informed of their progress and will be notified if
they do not meet graduation requirements. !
!
This celebration of the Class of 2021 and all that the graduates have accomplished is as
important to us as it is to you, and though it may not be an entirely traditional event, we will
do everything we can to make sure it is uniquely memorable for everyone.
! ! ! ! ! !
!Yours sincerely,
! ! ! ! !
!Michael Harvey
Interim Provost and Dean of the College
P.S. Please find enclosed with this letter information about details leading up to
Commencement.
Important Commencement Information
Important Commencement Information
Graduation Application
The deadline to submit the application for graduation was October 23, 2020. After the
Spring 2021 registration period concludes, the Office of Student Records and Registration
will begin processing degree completion audits for students who applied to graduate. Please
check with your potential graduate to ensure that they completed this task, along with
ordering a cap and gown. If you are unsure if your student submitted their graduation
application, they can email [email protected] to inquire.
Ordering a Cap and Gown
Caps and Gowns are to be ordered from Oak Hall, directly from their website:
https://washingtoncollege.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome.
We will let the graduates know later this spring how we plan to distribute regalia. The regalia
is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles and is for students to keep
following the ceremony. Payment for regalia is not due at this time; it will be billed as part of
the $300 graduation fee in March.
Diploma Frames and Announcements
Additional graduation-related items, such as formal announcements and rings, may be
purchased through the Herff-Jones website https://collegegrad.herffjones.com. The
Washington College Bookstore provides custom diploma frames for purchase.
Commencement Photography
The College has a contract with Grad Images to take photographs during the
Commencement ceremony. Grad Images will contact you following Commencement with
photo proofs, which you may order from them directly. For more information, please visit
their website www.gradimages.com.
