Notre Dame College will be holding its 97th Commencement ceremonies in-person and outdoors on the grounds of its historic campus, Thursday, May 6 through Saturday, May 8, in 2021.
This is the first Commencement over which Notre Dame President J. Michael Pressimone, Ed.D., will preside. Ceremonies will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person.
Conferral of undergraduate and graduate degrees will be combined, depending on their academic division, and will take place over the course of two days. On Friday, May 7, science and mathematics graduates will confer at 4 p.m., with nursing at 7 p.m. for their ceremony and pinning. On Saturday, May 8, arts and humanities degrees will be awarded at 10 a.m., business administration at 1:30 p.m. and professional education at 5 p.m.
Notre Dame has an additional ceremony planned for all 2020 graduate and undergraduate degree recipients who did not get to walk across the stage to receive their degrees in person last May, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are invited back to campus on Thursday, May 6, at 7 p.m. for their rescheduled commencement. A survey indicated many in the Class of 2020 were looking forward to returning to campus to receive their degrees and take part in the celebration.
The College is streamlining its traditional baccalaureate liturgy this year and including aspects of it into the main degree programs. Fr. John Blazek will give a reflection at each ceremony.
Members of the Class of 2021 will be seated outdoors, underneath a large tent to accommodate for weather. Graduates are permitted two guests each due to social distancing. No more than 90 students are expected to attend an individual commencement ceremony.
Notre Dame COVID-19 safety protocols will be enforced, including mask-wearing, hand sanitizing, cleaning between ceremonies, and electronic ticketing, as well as social distancing.
Extended family and friends may stream the ceremonies online at NotreDameCollege.edu/Graduation.
Details of the ceremonies also are available online at NotreDameCollege.edu/Graduation.
March 2021
About Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts college in South Euclid committed to teaching students how to make a good living and live a good life. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the college offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. For more information, visit www.notredamecollege.edu.