George Mason University will conduct its 54th Spring Commencement virtually in accordance with public health recommendations. The ceremony is set for 2 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2021. The university hopes to resume in-person graduation in December.
Celebrating Your Accomplishments While Staying Safe
Mason knows how much graduation means to our students, their families, friends and other supporters.
Our administrators, faculty and staff also look forward to honoring the hard work of our graduates, and we would like nothing more than to host a traditional commencement ceremony to celebrate our graduates.
Unfortunately, public health and state guidelines don't permit us to proceed with the large in-person gatherings that we hoped for this academic year. The safety of the Mason community remains in the forefront of all our decisions.
However, we continue to monitor conditions and to work with individual colleges and degree programs to see if we can find opportunities for smaller, in-person recognition ceremonies. We'll provide an update as soon as we can.
Virtual Event Will Include Shareable Slides for Each Graduate
Mason is working with a company called Marching Order, a virtual platform and hub, to honor our Spring 2021 graduates.
The site will give each graduate an opportunity to submit a photo and a brief message to fellow Patriots, family, and friends.
In the next few weeks, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to register, create a password, and submit the information needed to create your personalized graduation slide.
Your password link will be unique to you, so don't share it with others.
Mason's schools and colleges will also have Marching Order pages, featuring videos and their graduates.
Marching Order Timeline:
- April 19: Deadline to submit a pronunciation guide on your name.
- April 26: Deadline to upload a picture and personal message to have a slide appear on your unit’s website.
These deadlines are not flexible.
If you miss the April 26 deadline, you can still receive a blank slide to personalize and share on your social media or with family. However, it will not appear on any Mason website.
Graduates Featured on School and College Celebration Pages
Personalized slides for each graduate, showing name, degree, major, and college, are featured on your school or college's degree celebration page.
Students also had the opportunity to share a photo and personal message. These slides are shareable on social media.
Doctoral Candidates, by School and College
Schools and Colleges also honored doctoral graduates. As we receive video of those events, we will post them here..
- College of Education and Human Development: Watch the event on YouTube. For more information, contact CEHD Student Enrichment Coordinator, Brianna Alford.
- College of Health and Human Services: Watch the event on YouTube. For more information, contact CHHS or go to the Graduation page on the CHHS website.
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Event: December 17, at 3:30 p.m. Contact Sarah Holland, or go to the CHHS Doctoral Graduation page for more information.
- College of Science: Watch the event on YouTube. For more information, contact COS.
- College of Visual and Performing Arts: Event: December 17, 11 a.m. ET. Contact the School of Music.
- Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution: Event: December 17, at 3 p.m. ET. Contact Charisse Cardenas or register for the Carter School event.
- Schar School of Policy and Government: Event: Friday, December 18, noon ET. Contact the Schar School.
- Volgenau School of Engineering: Watch the event via ZOOM. Access code VSEPhD2020! For more information, go to the Engineering Graduation page.
Mailed Programs Might Be Delayed
If you submitted your form for a mailed program, Mason shipped them on December 7. However, due to the volume of holiday mailings and Covid-19 safety requirements, mail deliveries can take longer than expected. Unfortunately, we do not have a way to track each individual program. If you don't receive a program by mid-January, you can get up to two programs on one of our campuses.
Download a digital version of the commemorative commencement program (PDF)
Share Your Creativity and Celebrate Your Achievement with a Decorated Cap or Poster
Many Mason graduates highlight their individuality and diversity through a creatively decorated cap.
Because our ceremony will be virtual this year, we’re offering you the chance to create a virtual decorated cap.
Share yours via the hashtag #MyMasonCap.
You can also download and personalize a poster to share your news.