Claremont Graduate University’s
93rd Commencement Ceremony
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2020, at 10:00 am
CGU celebrates its graduates! Student success is the number one goal of the administration, faculty, and staff at Claremont Graduate University.
Out of an abundance of caution, the annual in-person commencement celebration has been postponed until a time when health regulations determine it is once again safe to gather in public.
Instead, CGU will host a virtual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 30, 2020.
Much like the in-person ceremony, family and friends are invited to tune in to this virtual event. You will be greeted by President Len Jessup and Provost Patricia Easton. Student speaker and graduate Carrie Herr will offer words of encouragement and pride at the accomplishments of all our graduates.
Instead of walking across the stage, names will be read aloud while photos and personal messages from each graduate are displayed on the screen.
And once life has returned to normal, Claremont Graduate University intends to host a celebratory event where doctoral and MFA graduates will be hooded, and we can laud every graduate in person.
Celebrate the Class of 2020!
Celebrate the class of 2020 with special limited release coloring pages. Download or grab a screenshot of our commencement coloring pages, and show off your artistic side on social media. Be sure to tag @claremontgraduateuniversity on Instagram or Facebook!
Congrats Grads! (PDF – 318kb)
Harper Hall (PDF – 464kb)
As a special salute to the graduates, we’d like to flood our social media channels with this really cool, animated graphic. Please help us.
Commencement 2020 graphic (MP4 – 23MB)
Download the graphic and post it to your social media public profile just before 10:00 am Saturday morning, May 30, with a message similar to this:
“Come and applaud our CGU 2020 graduates at their virtual ceremony. We are so proud of them!”
Be sure to use #cgualum and to tag Claremont Graduate University!
Information for Students
For information about participation, regalia, deadlines, and more, visit the Graduates Commencement page or contact the Registrar’s Office: student.records@cgu.edu or 909-621-8285.
Contacts
Ceremony
Donna Standlea
909-607-3305
Degree Requirements
Sarah Jaques-Ross
909-607-3370
Facilities
Kelly Holtzer
909-607-7765
Regalia
Bookstore
909-607-1502
FAQ
A virtual ceremony has many of the same components as a live ceremony. There will be congratulatory speeches by President Len Jessup and Provost Patricia Easton. Graduating PMBA student Carrie Anne Herr will address the attendees. Instead of walking across the stage to accept their diplomas, the graduates’ names will be read aloud while a slide with their photo, degree, and your personalized message will be displayed.
Yes! Everyone is welcome! Watch the speeches. Click on the graduates’ names. Enjoy the event.
Yes, you do need to register. Every eligible graduate should have received an email explaining the registration process. If you have more questions about registration, please contact the Registrar’s office: student.records@cgu.edu or 909-621-8285.
Yes, every eligible graduate will be represented by a card with their name and degree on the commencement website.
Those students graduating in summer 2020 are not eligible to apply to participate in the virtual ceremony. Summer graduates will be invited to attend the in-person ceremony.
One of the best parts of a virtual ceremony is that you may come as you are! More than business casual, this ceremony is really casual!
Yes, a printed commencement program is being mailed to your address on file. A digital copy will also be available on cgu.edu/commencement.
The Virtual Commencement Ceremony will be available beginning at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 30, 2020. You may visit the site then or at any time afterward for up to one year.
Please visit the Registrar’s Graduation FAQs page for diploma distribution information.
Unfortunately, the campus is closed due to the coronavirus quarantine. Please plan your on-campus photos for some time after the all-clear has been declared. However, we encourage you to share your graduation photos taken from your home with us on our social media platforms! #cgualum #carrytheflame
Regalia rental orders through Huntley Bookstore have been canceled. To receive a refund, please call the bookstore at (909) 607-1502 Monday through Thursday between 10 am and 4 pm. Orders are listed under the credit card number initially provided, so please have that number ready when you call. If you purchased custom-made regalia, your order is being processed and will be shipped by Herff Jones directly to your residence.
If you’ve already purchased travel and lodging, please reach out to the issuing companies to see if they will be willing to work with you on cancellations and refunds. Numerous airlines and hotels are waiving cancellation fees at this time.
We hope to hold an in-person celebration once it is safe. We will be in touch with the graduates when we have determined when and how we can do so.