Planning for Purdue’s commencement: Additional details released for upcoming ceremonies

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University officials are releasing additional details for the upcoming commencement ceremonies on Saturday (May 15) and Sunday (May 16) at the West Lafayette campus.

Both commencements will be livestreamed. The Saturday commencement livestream, featuring undergraduates, master’s and professional degree candidates, will start at 10 a.m. ET at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Sunday commencement livestream, featuring Ph.D. candidates, will start at 10 a.m. ET at Elliott Hall of Music.

Parking will be available both days in the Grant Street, Northwestern Avenue and University Street parking garages. Uniformed police will be on duty and will provide directions as needed. Guests may use the May 15 parking maps and May 16 parking maps.  

For Saturday’s commencement, parking will be available in R Lot at Ross-Ade Stadium. Accessible parking will be in H Lot near the stadium. Golf cart shuttle services will be provided. There will be several street closures and restrictions around the stadium:

* John R. Wooden Drive from Stadium Avenue to just north of Tiller Drive.

* Steven C. Beering Drive from Tower Drive to just north of Tiller Drive.

* Tower Drive from Steven C. Beering Drive to John R. Wooden Drive.

* All of Joe Tiller Drive.

* G Lot drive and entrance along Northwestern Avenue (between Mackey Arena and Lambert Fieldhouse).

Purdue University will celebrate spring commencement with two ceremonies. Each ceremony will follow Protect Purdue guidelines. (Purdue University photo/John Underwood) Download image

All guests of candidates in the Ross-Ade ceremony must follow the Ross-Ade Stadium bag check and the policy of clear bags. Limited seating meeting standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act will be available. Parking and shuttle service details for both ceremonies will be released closer to commencement. Guests should use Ross-Ade gates C, D, EE, F, G and GG, and the Tyler Trent Gate. Gates EE, F, G and GG are street-level and can be used for those with accessibility needs.

Graduate School guests at Elliott Hall of Music will need to have bags checked before entering the building.

Tickets for the events will be released to candidates on Thursday (May 13). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tickets will be for assigned seating at the stadium and Elliott Hall of Music. Tickets cannot be transferred to others.

Purdue President Mitch Daniels will speak at Saturday’s ceremony, and Provost Jay Akridge will speak at Sunday’s ceremony.

The ceremonies will be held in accordance with Protect Purdue event and visitor guidelines for Commencement week. 

For more information, visit the Purdue commencement website.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.

Writer, Media contact: Matthew Oates, 765-586-7496 (cell), oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates

Source: Chris Pass, dehahn@purdue.edu 

Journalists visiting campus: Journalists should follow Protect Purdue protocols and the following guidelines:

• Campus is open, but the number of people in spaces may be limited. We will be as accommodating as possible, but you may be asked to step out or report from another location.
• To enable access, particularly to campus buildings, we recommend you contact the Purdue News Service media contact listed on the release to let them know the nature of the visit and where you will be visiting. A News Service representative can facilitate safe access and may escort you on campus.
• Correctly wear face masks inside any campus building, and correctly wear face masks outdoors when social distancing of at least six feet is not possible. 

Related stories:

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Purdue to bestow 2 honorary doctorates during spring commencement 

Purdue commencement team releases initial details for May ceremonies