Aligned with safety guidelines and allowing for students and their guests to celebrate academic achievements in the Flyer spirit and tradition, the University of Dayton will hold six in-person graduation ceremonies May 7-9 at University of Dayton Arena.

The School of Law (1-2:30 p.m.) and all other graduate programs (6-7:30 p.m.) will graduate in separate ceremonies May 7. The College of Arts and Sciences, UD's largest school, will hold two ceremonies at 9-10:30 a.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. May 8. Students in the schools of Education and Health Science and Engineering will graduate together 9-10:30 a.m. May 9. School of Business Administration students will graduate 1:30-3 p.m. May 9. ROTC will hold its commissioning noon to 1 p.m. May 8.

Ceremonies are limited to 90 minutes to allow for required cleaning and set-up for the next ceremony. Times are subject to change.

Students are limited to four guests who will be required to follow safety guidelines, including wearing face coverings. Seats will be assigned and tickets will be required to enter UD Arena. Only essential UD support staff for the ceremonies will attend.

Baccalaureate Mass will be held at 6 p.m. May 8 in the UD Arena. Tickets for limited seating also will be required and registration information will be forthcoming.  

"We know students and families strongly desire a memorable, in-person event, and we are thankful to members of the commencement planning team, who extensively studied venues and options with student input, for their work to make these events possible," said Paul H. Benson, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs.

UD Arena is the University's traditional venue for commencement ceremonies. Holding this year's ceremonies there was a natural choice considering the UD Division of Athletics' work and success with seating arrangements, ticketing and public health considerations during the Dayton Flyers' men's and women's basketball seasons and Ohio High School Athletic Association state basketball tournament games.

"While we would love to be together under one roof at the same time, hosting the smaller ceremonies allows us to offer a weatherproof facility with excellent accessibility, sound and video capabilities, and an experienced team well-versed in working under public health guidelines," President Eric F. Spina and Benson said in a message to students.

Plans are subject to change based on the state of the pandemic on the campus or in the community at the time of the event.

Details regarding times, ticketing and video streaming will be announced as they become available and posted on the 2021 graduation website.