Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2021
2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony
Friday, August 6, 2021
12:00 p.m. PST
We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and your family and friends!
Important Information for Graduates
Requirements to Participate in the 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony
Graduates may only participate virtually and be recognized during the 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony if they have registered by 11:59 p.m. PST on July 14, 2021 and:
- Have completed all academic requirements for their respective degree program by 5:00 p.m. PST on June 30, 2021.
- Have all financial requirements including course fees, tuition, and graduation fees paid in full by 5:00 p.m. PST on July 14, 2021. If graduates are on a payment plan, all current/past-due tuition and applicable fees must be paid by 5:00 p.m. PST on July 14, 2021. Please note, payment extensions or exceptions will not be granted unless pre-approved by CalSouthern leadership.
- Have not participated in any of CalSouthern’s previous commencement ceremonies for the same degree.
Order of Virtual Ceremony
- Introduction/Welcome
- National Anthem and Presentation of Colors
- Welcome Address from President Dr. Glenn R. Roquemore
- Keynote Address from Martha Daniel, President/CEO, IMRI
- Presentation of Candidates for Degrees by Deans and Department Chairs
- Recognition of Degrees and Closing Remarks from President Dr. Glenn R. Roquemore
How to Watch the 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony
This year’s commencement ceremony will be a pre-recorded video recognizing and celebrating the successes, hard work, and achievements of our CalSouthern graduates. We welcome you and your family and friends to join us virtually!
The ceremony will be viewable on Facebook and YouTube with links provided to participating graduates via email on Wednesday, August 4, 2021.
The recording will be available after the virtual event for public viewing on Facebook, YouTube, and the CalSouthern Commencement webpage for those that were unable to tune-in during the scheduled time of the ceremony.
Family and friends can celebrate their graduates and loved ones throughout the recording with the chat and comment sections. Be advised, CalSouthern reserves the right to remove any comments at its discretion.
Share and Celebrate the CalSouthern Class of 2021 on Social Media!
Use #CalSouthern2021 and tag @CalSouthern on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter to share photos and stories of your educational journey at CalSouthern and your post-graduation plans!
Stay in Touch and Join the CalSouthern Community of Alumni!
The CalSouthern Alumni Association provides a great opportunity to network with other alumni. Build your business, cultivate professional relationships, or simply take advantage of the alumni tuition discount and other benefits. Visit the Alumni page here or learn more by emailing alumni@calsouthern.edu.
FAQ’s
Why did CalSouthern choose to transition to a virtual commencement ceremony for 2021?
One of the most complex decisions we have had to make during this season has been to transition our 2021 Commencement to a virtual ceremony due to COVID-19 and the variables related to reopening. With COVID-19 and its impacts both locally and globally, California Southern University remains resolute in maintaining the health and safety of our learners, faculty, and staff.
Due to the extensive timeline needed for planning and executing an event such as this, the Commencement Planning Committee was limited to the information available when decisions were required and was unable to make commitments based solely on predictions.
CalSouthern’s leadership and staff are hoping for an opportunity to eventually return to a live commencement event since it truly is the highlight of our year. We understand the importance of graduation for our learners. If and when the time comes where the University can return to hosting live events, all factors, including previous participation in virtual events, will be considered as participant eligibility is reviewed.
Despite current circumstances, we still feel it is essential to formally recognize our learners and the academic degrees they’ve earned through years of study and hard work. We are planning a virtual commencement ceremony that will allow our graduates and their loved ones an opportunity to share a meaningful experience as they move from CalSouthern learner to CalSouthern alumni.
We appreciate your understanding and support during this challenging time in higher education.
What will the 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony look like?
The virtual ceremony will have many of the same components as a live ceremony, but many of those components will be pre-recorded and in a video format available for viewing on YouTube, Facebook, and the 2021 Virtual Commencement webpage.
There will be speeches made by our President and academic staff along with our 2021 Keynote Speaker. Instead of walking across the stage, we have created a slide for each graduate with a photo, the degree earned, relevant honors, and any personalized messages that have been provided.
Regardless of virtual or live, CalSouthern wants to ensure that we recognize and celebrate the successes, hard work, and achievements of our CalSouthern graduates.
Will there be a live commencement ceremony in 2022 and can the Classes of 2020 and 2021 participate?
CalSouthern’s leadership and staff are hoping for an opportunity to eventually return to a live commencement event since it truly is the highlight of our year. We understand the importance of graduation for our learners. Although we cannot make commitments or decisions for a commencement ceremony based on predictions, if and when the time comes where the University can return to hosting live events, all factors, including previous participation in virtual events, will be considered as participant eligibility is reviewed.
Is commencement regalia required for the 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony? Where can I purchase regalia for photos and other commencement-related activities?
Because this year’s commencement ceremony is virtual, regalia will not be required. However, graduates who wish to order commencement regalia for photos and other activities may choose to do so by going to the California Southern University Jostens page linked here.
Please be advised that commencement regalia orders from Jostens may take up to 3-5 weeks for delivery. It is recommended that graduates wishing to order regalia do so as soon as it is possible.
All questions regarding regalia should be directed to Jostens.
Do parents, family members, friends, and others need to register for the 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony?
No. The only person that will need to register to ensure participation in the 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony is the graduate. Graduates should register by filling out the Commencement Registration form prior to 11:59 p.m. PST on July 14, 2021, and ensure that they have completed all financial and academic requirements prior to the necessary deadlines.
In what order will names be read?
Graduates will be recognized by their school with names being read alphabetically based on the respective degree programs. The order of degree programs will proceed in the order of doctoral degrees, master’s degrees, bachelor’s degree, and lastly associate degrees.
I have questions not covered by the responses above, who do I contact?
Should you have any questions or require additional information regarding the 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony, please email us at commencement@calsouthern.edu.
Highlights from Past CalSouthern Commencement Ceremonies
While you wait for the big day, we invite you to take a look at videos from our past Commencement ceremonies.