Montclair State University to Hold In-Person Commencement Ceremonies July 18-23

Montclair State University has announced plans to welcome graduates back to campus for a week of in-person, outdoor Commencement ceremonies July 18-23.

The events will be held in accordance with New Jersey COVID-19 safety guidelines and will ensure appropriate social distancing for graduates, guests and staff.

Because the state is currently in Stage 2 of Governor Phil Murphy’s Road to Recovery, the limit for outdoor graduations is 250 people, which would not allow graduates to invite guests.

The University wants guests to be able to attend and is hopeful that the Governor will soon be able to increase the number of people who can attend.

Montclair State is asking students to register now, however, because it needs time to make preparations.

“Our graduates have worked hard to earn their degrees, and we are very proud of them,” says Montclair State University President Susan A. Cole. “We are very much looking forward to recognizing their accomplishments.”

To ensure safe social distancing, the University will hold 23 individual ceremonies for groups of about 200 graduates. Each ceremony will take about an hour and will be held at 9 a.m, 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day during the week.

The events will feature the “pomp and circumstance” of a traditional Commencement. Students will have their names read and will walk across the stage to mark the moment when they enter the ranks of Montclair State’s more than 130,000 alumni.

All events will take place on Sprague Field on the Montclair State University campus.

Students must register to participate by visiting montclair.edu/commencement. Registration will close on Tuesday, July 7.

For more information, visit montclair.edu/commencement.