University announces 2023 commencement ceremony dates, agenda
The university will celebrate Class of 2023 on the Quad. PHOTO CREDIT: Hannah Charron
The University of Rhode Island Commencement ceremony for the class of 2023 will be held on Saturday, May 20 at 10 a.m and will be the second commencement to take place on the Kingston campus’ quadrangle since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
An email sent to students on Jan. 10 announced the “class of 2023 commencement weekend” occurring from May 19 to 21. The graduate ceremony will take place on May 19 at 5 p.m., while individual undergraduate college ceremonies, including the main undergraduate commencement, will take place throughout May 20 and 21.
According to Shana Greene, the director of University events, every ceremony is spread out to ensure that President Marc Parlange can attend each one.
“I think it’s pretty unique that he wants to be able to do that,” Greene said. “He loves the students so much that he wants to be able to celebrate with them and their guests.”
The Associate Director of University Events, Karen Sechio, has begun her role of commencement chair this year, the role that Greene previously held.
According to Sechio, the commencement committee is made up of about 100 people. The department of University Events and the President’s office is required to oversee the event, while the rest of the committee are volunteers from other departments on campus.
“We truly work year round on all of the details,” Greene said. “Especially on the quad, we’re building a venue where we have to bring in a sound system, seating, staging and restroom trailers. We’re building a building on the quad, basically.”
According to Sechio, the individual college ceremonies are smaller and more personal. These ceremonies are where students walk across the stage and receive their diploma cover. This moment is popularly used as a photo opportunity, and it’s traditional for students to experience. The dean of the college and President Parlange also speak at these events.
The two main undergraduate and graduate ceremonies are large-scale events. The undergraduate ceremony is estimated to have 20,000 attendees, including about 4,000 graduates and their guests, according to Greene.
According to Greene, the undergraduate ceremony on the quad features appearances of the ROTC, the Color Guards and a bagpiper.
“Campus never looks better than it does at commencement,” Greene said. “Everything is blooming, and it’s green, and it’s gorgeous.”
Marc Parlange will share his remarks. There will also be a keynote speaker who is yet to be announced. There is a keynote speaker each year at the undergraduate ceremony.
As the event will not take place until the end of May, COVID-19 precautions will be determined closer to the date, according to Sechio.
“We work closely with public safety and health services to determine what the climate is at that point and what’s going on in the community,” Sechio said.
Guest registration and the determination of the amount of guests allowed will also be announced closer to May.
According to Sechio, a link for student registration for the URI commencement ceremonies will be sent out in early March. Registration is encouraged by Greene and Sechio on behalf of the commencement committee.
“It’s a celebration, I think everyone wants to be proud of URI,” Sechio said. “The URI community wants to come together to continue that energy.”
Further information, and footage from previous ceremonies, can be found on the URI website.