ASU announces plan for graduation ceremonies set to begin next month

PHOENIX — Arizona State University has announced plans for its graduation ceremonies that are set to begin next month.

The university said in a press release that the ceremonies will occur in-person, with the graduate commencement taking place May 9 at 9 a.m. at Desert Financial Arena and the undergraduate commencement that same day at 7:30 p.m. at Sun Devil Stadium.

Individual college convocations and special interest convocations take place from May 7-13 across the university’s campuses. Commencement and convocation information can be found online.

Face coverings and vaccinations will not be required for students or guests for on-campus celebrations, the university said.

Students who completed coursework in 2020 or May 2021 can also participate this year and in future celebrations.

American educator and historian Lonnie G. Bunch, the first African American and first historian to serve as head of the Smithsonian, will be the commencement speaker for the undergraduate ceremony.

Ruth Van Roekel McGregor, former justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, will be the commencement speaker for the graduate ceremony. She received her law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 1974.

It’s the second consecutive graduation the university will host in-person events after conducting online and hybrid celebrations beginning 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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