Commencement

Dear Gordon students and families, 

While some colleges (particularly the larger universities) in our area have chosen to hold Commencement in some online format, we did not want to deprive graduating seniors and our graduate students (and their families) of the opportunity to celebrate in person with each other and with their classmates. In collaboration with the GCSA Commencement Committee, the College’s leadership team will plan to hold Baccalaureate and Commencement on Gordon’s campus as part of an expanded Homecoming on Friday and Saturday, October 2 and 3. Given the extraordinary circumstances thrust upon the College (and the globe) by this COVID-19 pandemic, we believe this plan will offer the best opportunity for seniors and families to enjoy a well-deserved capstone experience to their time at Gordon. The fall date was selected after additional consultation with local and state health officials, who currently believe it will offer the best opportunity for a semblance of normalcy with a large gathering.

The Board of Trustees will still formally approve all degree recipients on May 16, so eligible students (all who have completed their graduation requirements) will officially graduate “on time,” with all rights, responsibilities and privileges as per tradition. As we do each year, diplomas will then be mailed to students over the summer. 

We all relish the pageantry and spring ambiance of a traditional May Commencement ceremony, but this combined event in October should be an exciting “first” for the College. It will also include our annual Celebration of Faithful Leadership event, and the opportunity for graduating students and families to meet and celebrate with generations of fellow alumni. 

We hope this rescheduling will help give Gordon families the extra time needed to revise original travel and lodging plans with enough advance notice to develop alternative arrangements. More complete details on programming will be added to our web resource site as soon as available, and also communicated by email to graduating seniors and graduate student degree recipients. 

D. Michael Lindsay
President