Commencement 2021

Ursuline College welcomes 2020 and 2021 graduates and their families to celebrate a safe, outdoor, socially distant Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Because the pandemic caused us to postpone our 2020 ceremony, this year we celebrate January, May, and August grads from both 2020 and 2021.

Ursuline College welcomes graduates and their families to celebrate the annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.  There is only one commencement ceremony each year (it includes, January, May, and August grads for that year). This year, we will be celebrating the class of 2020 and the class of 2021. For the safety of our graduates, staff, students, faculty, and guests, everyone must wear a mask at all times while at the commencement ceremony. Adherence to socially distanced guidelines will also be mandatory. 

General Information

• Commencement will be held at Classic Park, home of the Lake County Captains (new venue this year) and will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony lasts approximately two hours.  Classic Park is located at 35300 Vine Street in Eastlake, Ohio. It is on the corner of Som Center (Rt. #91) and Vine Street.
• Graduates should arrive at Classic Park to line up no later than 9:15 a.m.   Graduates enter at the 1st base entrance gate facing the parking lot (no guests will enter at this gate). 
• Doors will open for guests at 9:15 a.m.  Guests will enter at the main gate facing Som Center (Route #91).  Only the doors at the main gate will be open for admittance.
• Parking:  Classic Park is providing parking spaces on their property. In addition, there is a parking lot across the street from Classic Park which will be available for guests. There is a pedestrian bridge between that parking lot and Classic Park.  Handicap parking spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If all handicap spots are taken, guests may enter at the Gold Lot and drop off individuals and then go find a parking space in a general parking space area.  Do not use private lots off of Curtis Boulevard. 
• Rain Plan: If there is drizzle, the ceremony goes ahead as planned and spoken remarks will be shortened. In the event of a torrential downpour or lightning, the ceremony will be delayed until Saturday, May 15th at 10:00 a.m. The Lake County Captains and MLB will make this determination.
• Please keep an eye on the weather forecast. The College will send a text and email URSAlert to current students and post a message on Twitter and across the very top of this website if the ceremony is postponed.
• If you will need assistance with steps or any special accommodations, please email Mary Anne Ursick at mursick@ursuline.edu.

Monitor your Health

Do not enter Classic Park if you have symptoms of COVID-19, including but not limited to: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell. If you have tested positive recently, do not enter the stadium unless at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and 24 hours have passed with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving. If you have tested positive but had no symptoms, at least 10 days must have passed since your positive test. Do not enter if you have been in contact in the 14 days before the ceremony with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.  All attendees are asked to perform a health self-check prior to attending, properly wear a face mask at all times, keep socially distant, and must agree to remain in their ticketed seat. 

Check the CDC website for more information.

Attire

Regalia: You will need to bring/wear your gown, hood, cap, tassel

Shoes: You will be walking up/down stairs in the stadium. Also, you will be processing on the baseball field which is dirt.  We encourage you to wear comfortable, flat, black (dark) shoes.  Heels are discouraged on the baseball field.  

Regalia Prices at the Bookstore 

Bachelor’s Degree

• Bachelor’s Gown $27.00
• Bachelor’s Hood $28.00
• Cap $6.00
• Tassel $5.00
• Total for package = $66.00

Master’s Degree

• Master’s Gown $30.00
• Master’s Hood $31.00
• Cap $6.00
• Tassel $5.00
• Total for package = $72.00

Doctorate Degree

• See Bookstore

Bookstore Website to Order Regalia

Website to purchase online (preferred method):  https://www.bkstr.com/ursulineohstore/shop/graduation

Announcements/Rings
Graduation announcements and rings may be ordered through Jostens.

Regalia Demo Videos

Click here to learn how to put on Bachelors Regalia for Commencement

Click here to learn how to put on Masters Regalia for Commencement

FAQs

How do I get my cap and gown?

Graduates will be able to pick up their regalia at the bookstore during regular bookstore hours. Sizes do run out so please do not wait to purchase.   

How do I get my tickets?

There are NO additional guest tickets available. We know that this may be disappointing or difficult for some of you; we are happy that all of your family members and "fans" can watch the ceremony live via this link: The ceremony will be available via livestream at this link: https://youtu.be/Ne1YlnOd2UM

In order to comply with capacity limitations at the venue and to maintain social distancing, guest seating is limited. We determined that each graduate could have 4 guest tickets based on total anticipated attendance. So, even though you may know of classmates who are not attending, we do not have extra guest tickets available.

All guests (3 years and up) MUST have a ticket to enter the Stadium. NO TICKET - NO ADMITTANCE!

All guests must sit in their assigned seat for the duration of the ceremony.

Pick up your guest tickets in the Pilla Atrium on the dates/times listed below:

Saturday, May 1st: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday, May 2nd: 4:00 - 7:00pm
Monday, May 3rd: 7:30am - 9:00am
Wednesday, May 5th: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Every day during the week of Monday, May 3 - Friday, 7 from 11:30am - 12:45pm

Can someone else pick up my tickets for me?

In order to release tickets to someone other than the graduate, we must receive an email - 24 hours in advance - from the person who is giving permission for their tickets to be picked up by someone else. The College is not responsible for tickets that are lost in transit or not delivered to the person as requested.

(Sample email: I, Paula Fitzgerald, give permission to [friend's name] to pick up my Commencement tickets. I understand that once the tickets are signed for, the College is not responsible if I do not receive them.) Send email to paula.fitzgerald@ursuline.edu and use Permission to pick up my Guest Tickets in the subject line.

Not able to pick up your tickets in person?

For those who are out of town, completely virtual or otherwise unable to pick up tickets, your guests may pick up tickets at "Will Call" near the main guest entrance at the Stadium on Friday morning, May 14th. Please instruct your guests to allow extra time for the Will Call line.

Do any of your guests need wheelchair accessible seating?

Please contact Mary Anne Ursick. 

What are the hours for the Student Service Center?

The Student Service Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30-5:00 PM. They are closed on weekends.

What are the hours for the Follett Bookstore on campus?

Monday - Thursday 9-4
Friday 9-1
Saturday and Sunday Closed

Directions to Classic Park - Home of the Lake County Captains

35300 Vine St | Eastlake, OH 44095

From West (Cleveland)

º Take I-90 East to Rt.2 East
º Follow Rt.2 East to the Eastlake Exit - Rt. 91
º Turn Left onto Rt. 91 North
º Stadium is .2 miles on Right 15 minutes from Downtown

From East (Ashtabula/Painesville)

º Take Rt.2 West
º Exit the Vine Street West Ramp - Rt. 640
º Stadium is .4 miles on Left

From East (Alternate)

º Take I-90 West
º Exit #189 Willoughby-Willoughby Hills - Rt.91
º Turn Right onto Rt. 91 North
º Stadium is 3 miles on Right

From South (Akron/Heights Area)

º Take I-271 North (Local Lanes)
º I-271 North becomes I-90 East
º Follow I-90 East to Exit #189 (Willoughby-Willoughby Hills - Rt. 91)
º Turn Right onto Rt. 91 North
º Stadium is 3 miles on Right

Faculty Information

Baccalaureate Mass

Due to the pandemic, there will be no Baccalaureate Mass this year.

Commencement Exercises

• Faculty should arrive at Classic Park, home of the Lake County Captains by 9:15 AM.  Address: 35300 Vine St., Eastlake, OH (corner of Som Center and Vine Street.)
• Enter at the 1st base entrance (off the parking lot).   Make sure you tell the UC worker that you are a 'faculty' member; otherwise, they will not allow you to take personal belongings with you. Bring your gown, hood, cap, or hat. There will be 300 free parking spaces available on a first-come basis.
• Faculty begin lining up at 9:30 AM.  The line will begin moving at 9:45 AM to form an Honor Guard on the field.  Dr. Mary Jo Cherry will be overseeing the faculty lineup.  
• Commencement will begin at 10:00 AM.  Please bring your robe, hood, and cap or hat.

Stage Party

• The Commencement Ceremony will be held May 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
• Please arrive at Classic Park, home of the Lake County Captains, by 9:15 a.m.  Address: 35300 Vine St., Eastlake, OH
• The President's office will provide you with instructions for that morning.
• At approximately 9:40am you will be directed to leave the preparation room to go to your seats adjacent to the field.