The following arrangements are announced for commencement activities. These arrangements allow for social distancing and other safety precautions.
Thursday, May 6
Awards Convocation Ceremony
- Time: 10am
- Place: McAlister Field House
- Suggested Dress: Business
- Approximate Run Time: 2 hours
- Restrictions: No flash photography, recipients allowed two guests who will arrive and sit together in a pod of 3 floor seats.
Baccalaureate Service
- Time: 2pm
- Place: Summerall Chapel
- Speaker: Chaplain, Brigadier General Select John Painter
- Suggested Dress: Business Casual
- Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
- Restrictions: No flash photography, limited attendance due to COVID
Nursing Graduation Candidates – Pinning Ceremony
Select group only
- Time: 3:30pm
- Place: Summerall Chapel
- Speaker: Ms. Carolyn Donohue, Executive Director of Nursing, Children’s and Women’s Services, Medical University of South Carolina
- Suggested Dress: Business Casual
- Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
- Special Information: This event is for Nursing Program Graduates and ticketed guests
Honors Program Certificate Presentation
Select group only
- Time: 6pm
- Place: Riverview Room
- Suggested Dress: Business Casual
- Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
Friday, May 7
Military Joint Commissioning Ceremony
- Time: 9:00am
- Place: McAlister Field House
- Speaker: Lieutenant General Francis Beaudette, USA
- Suggested Dress: Business
- Approximate Run Time: 1.5 hours
- Select Group Only
- Suggested Arrival: Guests and those accepting a commission are asked to arrive by 8:00AM.
- Special Instructions: This ceremony is for graduates being commissioned into the Armed Forces.
Alumni Parents and Alumni Grandparents Briefing
Select group only
- Legacy Diploma Presentation Request: Diploma presentation by a Citadel alumni parent must requested by the graduation candidate and approval prior to the ceremony. The deadline to make a request was March 1st. If you have questions, please email: commencement@citadel.edu
- Time: 1:45pm
- Place: McAlister Field House
- Suggested Dress: Business attire (be prepared for photos immediately following the briefing)
- Approximate Run Time: 30 minutes
- Suggested Arrival: Alumni parents/grandparents are asked to arrive no later than 1:35pm in McAlister Field House.
- Special Information: Alumni parents/grandparents who will be presenting diplomas to their sons or daughters will meet with the associate provost for academic operations for special instructions. Information will include a walk-through of the presentations on the stage and details on where to meet, park and when to arrive Saturday morning.
Legacy Photos
Select group only
Immediately after the briefing for alumni parents/grandparents and their cadet graduates our photographer will take individual diploma presentation photos for the Alumni News magazine and family photos.
- Time: 2:15pm
- Place: McAlister Field House
- Suggested Dress: Coat and tie for gentlemen; full dress with waistplate or sash (no hats) for cadets.
- Approximate Run Time: 45 minutes
- Special Information: Immediately following the briefing for alumni parents/grandparents, individual diploma presentation photos for the Alumni News magazine will begin. Family photos may also be taken at this time. Families are asked to wait in the fieldhouse lobby until the conclusion of the parents/grandparents briefing.
Long Gray Line Parade
- Time: 3:45pm
- Place: Summerall Field
- Special Information:
- Only family members of graduating cadets are permitted to attend
- There will be no bleacher seating
- Family member may view the parade from these locations: Ave. of Remembrance, Lee and Jenkins Avenues (virtual map here)
- Parking is available on campus in open spaces that are not reserved handicap parking spaces, first come, first-served
- Viewing from the Jones Ave. side of the field will be restricted to faculty and staff only (display I.D.)
- Facemasks are required to be worn by everyone on campus
- Live stream link will be provided and available here prior to the parade.
Saturday, May 8
Corps of Cadets Commencement Exercises
- Time: 9am and 2:30pm
- Place: McAlister Field House
- Speaker: Captain Eugene Francis Paluso II, Commandant of Cadets
- Suggested Dress: Business attire
- Approximate Run Time: 2.5 hours
Suggested Arrival
All guests are asked to be seated 30 minutes before the ceremony start time. Doors will close 10 minutes before the ceremony start time and will reopen after the national anthem and invocation.
Graduates and Participants
Morning graduation candidates will gather in Deas Hall no later than 7:30 a.m. for the lineup. Afternoon graduation candidates will gather in Deas Hall no later than 1:00 p.m.
Clear Bag Policy
The Citadel’s Campus Event Security Screening Policy, also known as the Clear Bag Policy, will be in effect for all events that take place indoors.
Restrictions Regarding Photography
Unauthorized non-Citadel professional photography is prohibited. The Citadel’s photographer will take photos of each graduate during the diploma presentation. Families are asked not to come forward to take family snapshots or video. Only authorized media photographers will be permitted on the field house floor during commencement. The vendor, GradImages will contact graduates and their families following commencement with more information on ordering photographs. Following commencement, you may order photos online at www.gradimages.com or by calling 1-800-261-2576. Questions may be emailed after May 10 to service@gradimages.com. This e-mail address is protected from spambots and JavaScript is required to enable viewing.
What to Expect
The ceremony will begin promptly at the scheduled time with the processional of the platform party. After the invocation, national anthem and introductions of the special guests, GEN. Walters will deliver remarks, honors, awards and honorary degrees will be presented. The guest speaker will then deliver the commencement address. GEN. Walters will administer the oath to those entering the Armed Forces. The presentation of candidates and conferring of degrees will precede the actual presentation of diplomas. At the conclusion, the president of The Citadel Alumni Association will have graduates rise and turn their rings so that the numerals face out. The ceremony will conclude with the singing of the alma mater, closing remarks by GEN. Walters and the “tossing of hats.”
Graduates will receive a souvenir diploma tube at the commencement ceremony. Providing the graduate does not have a financial hold, diplomas will be mailed to the address provided in the graduation application 7 – 10 business days following commencement. Within one week after commencement, graduates will receive an email with information on how to download a certified copy of their diploma or certificate. Students completing degree requirements in the summer will receive their diploma by mail at the beginning of the fall semester.
Live-Stream Broadcast
For family members and friends who do not have a ticket to attend the ceremony inside McAlister, The Citadel will be broadcasting a live stream of the entire commencement event which will be available on the Commencement website.
Tickets (required for all guests in McAlister Field House)
Graduates participating in commencement will be issued one pod of three seats through “Marching Order.” The tickets are for assigned seats and can be claimed on April 19-28. Seating will not be permitted in unassigned seats due to COVID restrictions. Please note that each ticket has a unique code and cannot be used for more than one guest.
Children above the age of 2 are required to have a ticket.
Commencement Ceremony Security Restrictions / COVID Protocol
Face masks covering the nose and mouth are required by all guests and participants. No boxes, alcohol, weapons, firecrackers, noisemakers, camera bags, video cameras, umbrellas, backpacks, large handbags, coolers, thermoses or similar items will be allowed in the field house. Food is prohibited. Please see the Campus Event Security Screening Policy for more information.
Leaving McAlister Field House during the ceremony is highly discouraged. Those who leave will be required to go back through security screening prior to re-entry.
Ordering Announcements
Announcements should be ordered directly through Herff-Jones. The last day to order announcements is April 1, 2021. Please note that an announcement cannot be used for admission into the SCCC ceremony.
Ordering Photographs
A professional photographer has been contracted by the college to take pictures of each individual during Friday’s military commissioning ceremonies and each individual receiving a diploma at commencement. Families are asked not to attempt to come down to the field house floor during graduation. Unauthorized professional photography is prohibited.
The company GradImages will contact graduates and their families following the ceremonies. Questions may be emailed after May 10 to service@gradimages.com. Following commencement, photographs can be ordered online at www.gradimages.com or by calling 1-800-261-2576.