Lawrenceville Commencement Information - Class of 2021

Class of 2021 Commencement Information

Saturday, May 15 or Sunday, May 16, 2021

Ceremony location, date and time to be determined

Degree conferral for the:

• Norm Brodsky College of Business
• College of Education and Human Services
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Westminster College of the Arts, School of Fine and Performing Arts

Commencement is always a proud day for students and families as we celebrate the achievements of our bachelor, master and doctoral degree graduates.  Now more than ever, this symbolic occasion of graduation is important to the entire Rider community. This website outlines the commencement plans for the Class of 2021. Commencement information updates will be occurring regularly. 

The in-person commencement ceremonies are planned with the assumption that we are able to return to large in-person gatherings by that point in time. Should the coronavirus pandemic continue into spring 2021, we will need to re-evaluate our plans.

Eligibility

If you plan to complete your degree requirements in December 2020, January, May or August 2021, you are invited to participate in the May 2021 Commencement ceremonies. Please review the following important information.

Before you are eligible to participate in a Commencement ceremony, you must have:

• filed a degree application
• completed all academic requirements for your degree
• paid all financial obligations to the University including graduation fee - payable through myRider student account or at the Cashier's Office located in the BLC
• returned all books to the University Library

If you have any questions about your graduation eligibility, contact your dean as soon as possible. Only students who will fulfill graduation requirements before August 2021 can walk in the May 2021 Commencement ceremony. December 2021 graduates should plan to walk in May 2022.

Graduation and Commencement

Please note there are important differences between graduation and commencement with which you should be familiar.

Graduation is a process consisting of submitting an Application for Graduation form, completing all academic requirements for your degree, and settling all financial obligations. The administrative process of degree conferral will indicate your official date of graduation.

Commencement refers to the ceremony where you share the excitement and importance of your academic accomplishments with peers, family, and friends. It is also a time for the University, Board of Trustees, senior administrators, and faculty to pay special tribute to you for the outstanding efforts you have shown in earning your degree.

Getting Ready to Graduate is as Easy as 1-2-3!

Greening Graduation

In support of Rider’s commitment to sustainability, several green initiatives are part of Commencement planning. We aim to limit printed communication materials by utilizing mainly electronic communication. The Commencement program is printed with vegetable-based inks on FSC-certified paper with 10 percent post-consumer waste recycled content. Graduates wear eco-friendly caps and gowns that are made from 100 percent, post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, with an average of 25 bottles used to make each gown. Funding for the GreenWeaverTM graduation gowns has been provided by the Rider University Energy and Sustainability Steering Committee (ESSC).  Since 2011, Rider University has helped to divert over 331,475 plastic bottles from landfills

Questions

Please contact the Commencement office at 609-896-7700, Option 1, or e-mail [email protected].

Questions on Commencement day should be directed to 609-896-5000.