Dear Students and Families,

Congratulations to the Class of 2021. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you. What a journey it has been since you arrived at UNC Greensboro, whether as a first-year, graduate, transfer, or online student. As individuals, you’ve made lifelong friends, survived countless exams and papers, and are earning a degree that will open doors for you.

You have made history as a unique group of graduates who have risen to the challenge of unprecedented demands, and you will enter a new world faced with unique challenges and needs. But you are tough. Resilient. Resourceful. And we are confident that as you prepare to join our family of over 132,000 Spartan alumni around the world, your can-do attitude and find-your-way spirit will persevere and help you make a meaningful impact in the world. The entire Spartan family celebrates your earned achievement with unabashed pride and enormous joy.

While the pandemic and associated public health directives currently restrict the ability to mass-gather in person, UNCG is committed to honoring its graduates with unique virtual experiences, in addition to an in-person, outdoor, socially-distanced multi-day event in The Quad. This approach to celebrating the Class of 2021 takes into account current COVID-19 guidelines and student feedback from our December virtual commencement.

Therefore, our plan is as follows:

• A University-wide commencement ceremony for undergraduate and masters students will be virtual. A doctoral hooding recognition ceremony will also be virtual. The dates for both pre-recorded events will be communicated in the weeks ahead.
• An in-person “Cross the Quad” event will take place over several days during graduation week. We will prepare The Quad to allow for students to reserve a time to walk across a stage and have their names read aloud. While safety protocols preclude guest attendance, the event will be livestreamed and recorded so that friends and family can watch virtually. We will also have a professional photographer on hand to capture each student’s special moment.

We have many details to work out, but for now we wanted to share this important news with our students and their families. You will receive more information in the weeks ahead.

We feel confident that this will be a successful, memorable, and safe commencement for our Spartans.

Go Spartans!

Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr.
Chancellor