Congratulations, class of 2020! We miss you.
Please know that plans are underway for a full commencement ceremony and complete slate of related activities the week of May 14th (Baccalaureate) and May 15th (Commencement) in 2022.
Registration is Now Open! Click HERE to register
Watch the REPLAY of the Commencement 101 ZOOM workshop (that we had with parents of graduates) that explains the weekend.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, MAY 12
8 a.m. Rotary meeting, location La Bella Pearl’s Restaurant. Get your make-up meeting with the local club.
1 p.m.–5 p.m. Commencement ticket desk at McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. Information, schedules, and tickets can be picked up here. All families are invited to stop by for refreshments and a moment of rest between activities. Call this your home base for the weekend. Hang out between events or just come relax during the day.
FRIDAY, MAY 13
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Commencement ticket desk at McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. Information, schedules, and tickets can be picked up here. All families are invited to stop by for refreshments and a moment of rest between activities. Call this your home base for the weekend. Hang out between events or just come relax during the day.
3 p.m. St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, our neighboring co-ed Episcopal day and boarding school for students in grades 6–12, will offer campus tours and personalized information sessions for University of the South families and friends. Reserve your space by emailing admission@sasweb.org or calling 931.598.5651. Interested in summer camp on the Mountain? Email sassummer@sasweb.org for more information.
4 p.m. Book signing by Emory Campbell and Jay Parini. McGriff Alumni House. Campbell and Parini will receive honorary degrees from the University during Saturday’s Baccalaureate Service. Meet the authors and enjoy refreshments.
4 p.m. CD sales by Robert Milne, award-winning ragtime pianist. McGriff Alumni House. Get a copy of “Please Don’t Forget Me, Tennessee,” the song inspired Milne made to a visit Milne made to Sewanee’s campus. Milne will receive an honorary degree from the University on Saturday.
SATURDAY, MAY 14
8 a.m.–2 p.m. Commencement ticket desk at McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. Information, schedules, and tickets can be picked up here. All families are invited to stop by for refreshments and a moment of rest between activities. Call this your home base for the weekend. Hang out between events or just come relax during the day.
9:15 a.m. C’20 photo and Commencement rehearsal Gather on the Quad side of All Saints’ Chapel for the class photo. Wear your gown! A copy of the photo will be sent to graduates.
9:30 a.m. C’20 graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences form the Baccalaureate procession in front of Breslin Tower.
10 a.m. Baccalaureate Service, All Saints’ Chapel. The Baccalaureate address will be delivered by Dr. Jay Parini. Honorary degrees will be conferred on Dr. Jay Parini, Mr. Emory Campbell, Ms. Susan Binkley, Mr. Robert Milne, and Mr. Jack Murrah. Overflow seating will be available in Guerry Auditorium via closed-circuit TV.
The Baccalaureate lunch (admission by prepaid ticket or tickets may be purchased at the door) will immediately follow the Baccalaureate Service until 1 p.m., McClurg Dining Hall.
Immediately following Baccalaureate. Legacy photo for graduates with alumni parents, siblings, and grandparents. Please arrive promptly. All Saints’ Chapel, nave altar.
11:30 a.m. Phi Beta Kappa initiation ceremony. Convocation Hall.
12:30–2:30 p.m. The Department of Chemistry will host a reception for all C’20 chemistry and biochemistry major graduates and their families in Harris Commons, Spencer Hall.
2–4 p.m. Vice-chancellor’s wine and cheese reception, hosted by Vice-Chancellor Emeritus John McCardell and his wife Bonnie. Guerry Garth.
7 p.m. All-campus Commencement celebration party, class toast, and fireworks show for C’20 graduates of the College and their guests, until 9 p.m., at the celebration tent next to McGriff Alumni House. Hosted by the Associated Alumni. Come dance the night away with live music by Entice. Visit with your favorite professors, staff, and coaches, too! Class toast will be right before the fireworks at
9 p.m.
SUNDAY, MAY 15
7-9 a.m. Breakfast at the Potter House for families of geology, forestry, natural resources, and sustainability graduates.
341 Kentucky Ave.
7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, St. Augustine’s Chapel (inside All Saints’ Chapel).
8–10 a.m. Commencement ticket desk at McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. Information, schedules, and tickets can be picked up here.
9 a.m. C’20 graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences check in at All Saints’ entering through War Memorial Chapel door (McClurg side).
10 a.m. Convocation for the recognition of degrees, All Saints’ Chapel. Doors open at 9 a.m. Guests with tickets will be admitted into the chapel. The Mildred and George Bentley Memorial Change Ringing Bells will play for the procession.
Overflow seating will be available in Guerry Auditorium via closed-circuit TV.
Commencement luncheon honoring the Class of 2020 graduates, their guests, families, and University faculty, immediately following the convocation, on the Quadrangle.
Rain location for luncheon: McClurg Dining Hall.
COMMENCEMENT DESK
The University Commencement desk is located inside the McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. The desk is open on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from
8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 8 to 10 a.m. Information and tickets for the Baccalaureate lunch and for the College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Service can be picked up here. All families are invited to stop by for refreshments and a moment of rest between activities. Call this your home base for the weekend. Hang out between events or just come relax during the day.
TICKETS
Tickets are not required for the Baccalaureate Service but are required for the Commencement Service.
Tickets for the Commencement lunch and additional tickets purchased for the Baccalaureate lunch on Saturday, May 14, and the Commencement lunch on Sunday, May 15, may be picked up during the day, Thursday through Sunday morning, at the University Commencement ticket desk at the McGriff Alumni House.
LOST AND FOUND
The Sewanee Police Department will be the lost and found center. If something is found, please bring it to the Police Department. If you lose something, please report it to the staff at the Sewanee Police, 931.598.1111 or email police@sewanee.edu.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
The Robert D. Fowler Center will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 6 a.m. to 1
1 p.m., Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Inquire at the desk for hours for the swimming pool. The Course at Sewanee (golf course) will accept tee times at 931.598.1104.
ALL SAINTS’ CHAPEL
All worship services are open to the public. The Chapel is always available for private prayer and meditation. Directories for self-guided tours are available in the narthex or in the Chaplain’s Office.
OTHER INFORMATION
For guests in need of special arrangements for access to All Saints’ Chapel, please email the Alumni and Parent Relations Office at sewaneeparents@sewanee.edu.
For more information about Commencement, please telephone the Alumni Office, 888.867.6884, or check the commencement webpage at sewanee.edu/parents/commencement.
LOCAL EATERIES
Blue Chair Bakery and Coffee Shop and Tavern 931.598.5434, 41 University Ave.
Café hours Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–3 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 8 a.m.–noon. Tavern hours Mon.–Fri. 3–9 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Green’s View Grill 931.598.5305. 444 Green’s View Rd. Tues.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Monday.
La Bella Pearl’s 931.463.2222, 15344 Sewanee Hwy. Mon.–Tues., closed, Wed.–Thurs. 5–9 p.m, Fri.–Sat. 5–10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Please call for reservations.
Shakerag at the Sewanee Inn
931.598.3568, 1235 University Ave.
Sun.–Thurs. 4–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 4–10 p.m.
Shenanigans 931.598.5774, 12595 Sollace M. Freeman Hwy. Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Stirling’s Coffee House 931.598.1885,
241 Georgia Ave. Mon.–Wed. 7:30 a.m.–noon, Thurs.–Fri. 7:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–noon.
The Cup and Gown will be closed.
Click HERE to register
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SUMMARY of the VIRTUAL CELEBRATION from 2020
The Convocation for the Conferral of Degrees for the College of Arts & Sciences and School of Letters had been scheduled for May 10, but that service has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While an altogether insufficient substitute, these videos and announcements express our heartfelt congratulations for your work and hopes for your future, celebrate your accomplishments, and most importantly, confirm that you have earned your degree from the University of the South.
