AU’s Spring 2021 Commencement to be held at Lady A Pavilion

Jenna Ingalls | Staff writer

Augusta University’s Spring 2021 Commencement ceremony will be held Thursday, May 13, at the Lady A Pavilion in Columbia County.

Graduates are allowed to invite up to four guests to the ceremony. 

“Every other option we were looking at would have been no guests,” said Dr. Neil MacKinnon, AU’s new provost. “At the end of the day, it’s kind of a shame to have to experience graduation alone. There’s just something to be said about experiencing it in person.”

Traditionally, AU’s graduation is held at James Brown Arena. A scaled down version was held with social distancing in December for the Fall 200 graduates.

In order to follow appropriate social distancing guidelines, hosting the event at Lady A offered the opportunity for students to walk with their guests in the audience. 

“It is challenging trying to get that proper balance between safety and being respectful of people with health conditions and especially concerns with COVID, but at the same time trying to make it a memorable experience and as engaging as possible,” said MacKinnon. 

Spring graduation will be split in two.

“President Keel thought it was important to have these university-wide events, so we will be having one session in the morning and one in the afternoon,” said MacKinnon.

After student RSPV’s have been received, the colleges will be assigned a session. 

Hooding and pinning event dates are still being finalized. If a student wishes to walk, they must RSVP by April 2. The last day to order regalia is March 15, which will be shipped to your address. Doctoral candidates can begin picking up regalia April 19.

Note: At the top of the page, AU President Brooks Keel takes part in the Fall 2020 Commencement at James Brown Arena in Augusta. (staff photo)

Contact Jenna Ingalls at JEINGALLS@augusta.edu.