Spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled to be held on Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15. Due to inclement weather forecasted, all commencement ceremonies will be held indoors in the Knapp Center. Masks are required for all candidates and guests. Social distancing must be observed.
To provide a safe environment and adhere to COVID-19 guidelines, commencement has been divided into six ceremonies. Students have been assigned a ceremony time alphabetically by last name and based on their graduating college or school. Students should have received an email with their designated ceremony time on Tuesday, May 11.
All six ceremonies will be live streamed at the ceremony date/time listed above from live.drake.edu.
All graduates and guests will be required to wear face coverings in line with campus policies and practice social distancing, and guest attendance will be limited. Face coverings must be worn at all times.
Ticket reservations will be automatically updated to reflect the student’s newly assigned commencement ceremony. Students will be notified of this update and a new confirmation email will be sent to the email address they provided. Students must forward the confirmation email to their guests.
Guests must have an electronic (email or screenshot) or paper copy of their ticket confirmation email to enter the Knapp Center. Seating will be general admission. In order to maintain proper social distancing, available seats will be marked. Please do not sit in an area that is not marked.
No. Each ceremony is at its maximum capacity, and we will not be able to accommodate changes to your ceremony assignment.
The Knapp Center doors will open one hour prior to each commencement ceremony.
On Saturday, May 15, guests must have an electronic (email or screenshot) or paper copy of their ticket confirmation email to enter the Knapp Center. Seating will be general admission. In order to maintain proper social distancing, available seats will be marked. Please do not sit in an area that is not marked.
The exact length of each ceremony is unknown at this time, but due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts, ceremonies are likely to be longer than normal. Estimates based on previous years:
Pharmacy & Professional Programs Ceremony: 1.5 hours
Law School Ceremony: 1 hour
Undergraduate Ceremonies: 1 hour
Graduate Ceremony: 1 hour
Free parking for commencement is available anywhere on Drake's campus. You can view an interactive map of our campus parking lots and print a PDF map here. Parking Lot 4 (near the Tennis Center) is reserved for student parking. Lots 3 and 17 are unavailable for guest parking.
Drake University Spring 2021 Commencement Programs
An important message from Griff II
Dear Drake Class of 2021,
Congratulations, my friends! What an exciting time this is. I am thrilled to be celebrating your many accomplishments along with you today and I look forward to the big things you will do as proud Drake alumni.
It did not take me long as your Dog to realize what an incredible place Drake is and how remarkable we Bulldogs are. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be and no one I’d rather represent.
My wish for you is that you find your passion, take ahold of it, and make a positive difference in the world around you. Be bold, Bulldogs. You are what the world needs now.
Never forget how much I love you, how firmly I believe in you, and that I am cheering you on in your every endeavor, today and always. I could not be prouder to be your Dog, Class of 2021!
Beaming With Bulldog Pride,
— Griff II (George)
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