Commencement Ceremony Update
Augsburg University’s Spring 2020 in-person commencement ceremony scheduled May 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium has been canceled.
Class of 2020, celebrate your graduation from Augsburg in two ways:
- Virtual commencement
- In-person commencement
1. Viewings of virtual commencement: Friday, May 29, 2020 and Sunday, May 31, 2020: These dates will allow sufficient time for gathering student contributions to the ceremony; video production of all elements needed; and for the assembly, mailing, and delivery of graduation materials to students ahead of the ceremony itself. Augsburg’s virtual commencement ceremony consists of a prerecorded ceremony that will be streamed online. There are two viewing times when graduates, families, and friends can watch and chat in real time.
- Friday, May 29, 2020, 7 p.m. Central
- Sunday, May 31, 2020, 2 p.m. Central
During the streamed online event, a personalized slide of each graduate will be displayed. The doctoral and graduate program slides will be displayed first, in alphabetical order of program, and then by last name. The undergraduate program slides will then be displayed, in alphabetical order of last name.
After the scheduled viewing times, a video of the ceremony will be available to watch anytime. The platform party speeches, personalized slides of each graduate, and graduate video clips will also be available to watch individually; they will be searchable.
2. In-person commencement: Once it’s safe to have large gatherings, Augsburg will plan an in-person commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020, which will include the familiar traditions of commencement. Every student’s hard work and achievement deserves our celebration, and we look forward to the day when we can recognize and celebrate the Class of 2020 at this in-person ceremony. When details for the in-person ceremony are being planned, you’ll have an opportunity to order your graduation gown and other regalia.
When more information is available, it will be updated on this webpage.
Commencement theme
“68/20: One Day in May” will be the theme of this year’s commencement ceremony. Augsburg will present honorary degrees during the ceremony, recognizing two leaders of the historic One Day in May in 1968.
How to participate in the virtual ceremony
On May 14, graduating students should have received an email from StageClip (an external vendor) with a link to submit a photograph, a personal message, and a short video. They also should have received a package (cap and tassel) from Augsburg to use in your video and photograph. This package should have arrived early May to the address Augsburg has on file. In the video, please feel free to share any academic or extracurricular groups or activities you’ve been involved in. Show your personality!
- This link will be sent to your email address that the school has on file.
- If you have not received the link by May 13, check your spam folder or search your inbox using the keyword “StageClip”. If you still can’t find the link, email events@augsburg.edu.
- Submissions close at 11:45 p.m. on Friday, May 22.
- Once StageClip closes the submissions portal, Augsburg will not have access to open it. Don’t miss the deadline!
- See StageClip’s privacy policy at stageclip.com/privacy-policy.
*During the commencement ceremony viewings, each graduate will have a personal slide shown. The personal video graduates create will be turned into an Auggie clip as a special alumni gift. The clip will be available for download and sharing with friends and family.
Traditions during virtual commencement
Take advantage of these transitions that you can still join in for the virtual commencement ceremony.
- Decorate your mortarboard cap: Show how you’ve decorated your graduation cap in your video. Share it on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the hashtag #AuggieGrad.
- Turn your tassel: One of the most important moments of a commencement ceremony is when graduates move the tassel on their caps from the right side to the left side to signify their move from candidate to graduate. Record a video of yourself (or have someone in your home record you) turning your tassel, then share it with #AuggieGrad on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
- Stay connected: No matter how near or far we are from one another, we’re still a community of Auggies. Celebrate your new alumni status in the Augsburg community by sharing a post on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with the hashtag #AuggiePride.
Caps and Gowns
Students who ordered caps and gowns who do not wish to use it for either ceremony may request a refund from the provider, Herff Jones. See Herff Jones’ Collegiate Regalia Returns & Refunds page for information about how to get a refund.
Degree Conferral
Graduation (degree conferral) is what happens when you have completed all requirements and receive your degree. Commencement is a ceremony for students to celebrate their academic achievements with friends and family. Participation in commencement does not automatically mean that a student has graduated; students are allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony if they are within 12 credits/3 requirements of graduation at the time of commencement and will finish those requirements within the calendar year.
Diplomas will be sent to you by mail from the Registrar’s Office after you have completed all requirements for your degree. The degree date printed on your diploma will be whichever degree date of twelve is closest to the completion of your final requirements. Augsburg has one degree date per month.
Thank you for your patience as we process your records and diploma. If you have any questions about your degree progress, contact us:
- Undergraduate students may email graduation@augsburg.edu.
- Graduate students may contact their graduate program coordinator.
How to receive your award certificates, stoles, or honors cords
Each program is responsible to distribute these materials to graduating students. Check with your organization, program, or team to get an estimated timeline for receiving your items. Cords for graduates receiving Latin honors or who have completed the requirements of Augsburg’s honors program will receive these cords in a separate mailing. Thank you for being patient while everyone is working hard to ensure you receive your materials within a reasonable time frame.
If you have general questions about the virtual commencement ceremony, contact events@augsburg.edu.
Congratulations, Auggies!