The University of Rhode Island is pleased to announce that it will hold in-person commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2020 on Friday, October 1, 2021, at The Ryan Center.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the University’s decision to postpone in-person ceremonies for last year’s graduates, choosing instead to confer degrees during a virtual recognition held in May 2020. Through an online survey administered in spring 2020, graduates indicated that, when public health guidelines allowed, they would like to celebrate their accomplishments during in-person ceremonies, which would allow them to wear regalia, hear their names announced and cross the stage.

University leaders and URI’s Commencement Committee selected Alumni and Family Weekend, which runs Oct. 1 through Oct. 3, as the perfect weekend to honor the 2020 graduates. They will be officially welcomed into the URI Alumni community and then have the opportunity to enjoy tailgating and football on Oct. 2 and a major show in The Ryan Center that evening. The Ryan Center will be decked out in all of its celebratory grandeur for the ceremonies, which will be streamed live and recorded for those who cannot attend.

All members of the Class of 2020 will receive an email invitation, with a link to register. Registration to attend the in-person ceremonies will be required by a specific deadline. Based upon the responses, a final ceremony schedule will be created. The number of undergraduate ceremonies will be determined by the total of registered graduates and The Graduate School will hold a separate ceremony.

The number of guests allowed for each graduate will be based on registration numbers. The Ryan Center’s ticketing operation will be employed and will provide unique QR codes for each ticket, which will be scanned at the entrances.

We encourage our 2020 graduates to pay close attention to their preferred email on file in the coming weeks for information and the link to register. Registration is the only way to guarantee participation and to make sure that the University can plan for the number of graduates and their guests.

The University is looking forward with great enthusiasm to welcoming back its 2020 graduates to these unique ceremonies during this great weekend of Rhody Pride. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to celebrate the Class of 2020’s accomplishments and perseverance during in-person ceremonies. Go Rhody!