Class of 2020 Commencement

Video

Watch live Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 11 a.m. EST

• Watch live on YouTube or Vimeo and download your Ceremony Program

Graduates

Order tickets
Graduates received an email from commencement@calvin.edu on Wednesday, April 28 (in the evening), with a link to order tickets. Each graduate may secure two general admission tickets for their guests. Graduates will will need to use their student ID number when placing their ticket order. Grads will also need to provide the names of their guests. Tickets are not able to be edited once they are ordered. Graduates are responsible for distributing e-tickets to their guests. The deadline for ticket orders is Thursday, May 20.

Here’s a step-by-step guide of how to get your tickets to your guests once you’ve placed the order:

1. After claiming your tickets, students will receive an email from Fevo and a 2nd confirmation email from ordertracking@tickets.com.
2. If you haven’t set up an account with Tickets.com, you will need to do so here and click the Sign Up button. You will enter in your first name, last name, the email address you used to place your order, and will create a password for your account. After signing up, you will be able to view your ticket order when you go to your MyTickets account.
3. If you already have an account with Tickets.com, you can manage your tickets at https://www.tickets.com/user/login/.
4. After logging into your account, click “view tickets” and then click the “forward” button.
5. Select the tickets you want to forward.
6. Insert the name(s) of guest(s) you want to forward to.
7. Forward tickets to desired recipients.

Arrival time, processional instructions
In lieu of a ceremony rehearsal, this video will show you the steps you’ll take from arrival to processional to distribution of diploma covers. Please review these instructions from your class president, Emerson Silvernail, and dean of students John Witte.

In short, make sure you are at the check-in station at least 35 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony. If you need to pickup your cap and gown please plan on arriving earlier than that.

Cap and Gown Pick Up
If you have not picked up your cap and gown, Class of 2020 grads can do so at the LMCU Ballpark from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22. Master's graduates will receive instructions about their hoods from their academic department. More details on cap and gown orders and pickup can be found in the “Graduate Details” section of the FAQ on the Commencement site.

Not Coming? Submit your Photo
Graduates who are unable or choose not to attend the Commencement ceremony were asked to submit photos to commencement@calvin.edu by May 7. If a graduate submitted a photo, it will appear along with their name on the ballpark's big board beginning at 10:30 a.m. The names of all graduates who are not attending will be read on the livestream as well at 10:30 a.m. and this segment will be repeated on the livestream immediately following the reecessional. This segment of the ceremony has been pre-recorded so photos are no longer being accepted.

Celebrate the Moment
We’ve created items that you can download and use to celebrate by printing at home or at a local print shop. Find everything from banners to yard signs to announcement cards, Zoom backgrounds, and Facebook frames. We’ve also created a few custom logos to honor the Class of 2020. You are able to add one of these special edition logos to various items available through the online campus store. Visit shop.calvin.edu and browse “2020 grads.”

View FAQs
Have questions about the ceremony, ticket ordering, the venue, lodging, food, etc.? We have tried to answer many of your questions in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Commencement site. If you don’t see your question there, send it to commencement@calvin.edu and we’ll try to get you an answer in short order.

Guests & Families

Gifts
We’ve created a few custom logos to honor the Class of 2020. You can add one of these special edition logos to various items available through the online campus store. Visit shop.calvin.edu and browse “2020 grads.”

Guests of grads can also order fresh flowers online which will be available for pickup at the ballpark on Commencement day.

Celebrate Your Grad
We’ve created items that you can download and use to celebrate your grad by printing at home or at a local print shop. Find everything from banners to yard signs to announcement cards, Zoom backgrounds, and Facebook frames.

Lodging
Guests can check availability at Calvin’s Prince Conference Center (located on campus). There are many options near Calvin University and also several options located within a few miles of the ballpark. Please note that Calvin is approximately 10 miles southeast (or 15-20 minutes without traffic) of LMCU Ballpark. Check ExperienceGR for hotel options.

View FAQs
Have questions about the ceremony, tickets, the venue, lodging, food, etc.? We have tried to answer many of your questions in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Commencement site. If you don’t see your question there, send it to commencement@calvin.edu and we’ll try to get you an answer in short order.

Venue

Parking
There is plenty of parking at LMCU Ballpark – located just north of Grand Rapids. Download the Commencement Map to see where parking is available.

Seating
Download the Commencement Map which provides details on how the ballpark will be setup for the ceremony. Accessible seating will be available for those who require it.

Health and Safety Protocols
Given recent CDC and state guidelines, masks will be optional for attendees and graduates while outdoors. Indoor spaces such as restrooms will require masking by those who are not fully vaccinated (i.e. two weeks past final shot). Seating for graduates will be socially distanced, and capacity limits at the venue will allow for all guests to likewise sit with social distancing between family units. Sight lines from all seats are excellent, so please use all available seating in the ballpark, leaving empty chairs or rows between groups.

View FAQs
Have questions about the venue? We have tried to answer many of your questions in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Commencement site. If you don’t see your question there, send it to commencement@calvin.edu and we’ll try to get you an answer in short order.

Past virtual events

The celebratory event included photos of graduates, messages from faculty, staff, and 2020 grads, conferral of degrees, a conversation with Commencement speaker Bill Robinson, and The Blessing, a musical piece put together by alumni, faculty, staff, and students for the Class of 2020!