Wake Forest to celebrate Class of 2021 at Truist Field

Wake Forest University will recognize the Class of 2021 on May 16 at Truist Field. This special celebration for undergraduates will run from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

The event includes three featured speakers who have prepared remarks to recognize our students’ accomplishments. Their talks will be shared virtually at various times throughout the celebration. The speakers are:

• Condoleezza Rice, director of the Hoover Institution, 66th Secretary of State, author, and professor, was the first African American woman to serve as both secretary of state and national security advisor.
• Pete Buttigieg, the United States Secretary of Transportation since February 3, 2021, and the 32nd mayor of South Bend, Indiana from 2012 through 2020.
• Kendall Hinton, wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, elevated from the practice squad as emergency quarterback to start against the Saints in week 12 of the 2020 season; graduated in 2019 from Wake Forest where he played football as a quarterback and wide receiver.

The program includes performances by the Wake Forest University dance team, the Spirit of the Old Gold & Black marching band, the University’s gospel and choral groups, fireworks and a traditional cap toss.

Wake Forest President Nathan O. Hatch will receive an honorary degree at the event, presented by Gerald Roach, chair of the University Board of Trustees. In October 2020, after leading Wake Forest University for 15 years, Hatch announced his plans to step down at the end of the academic year.

Wake Forest’s celebration on Truist Field is a ticketed event reserved for graduates and their guests. It is not open to the public. Livestream webcasts will be available. More information can be found at commencement.wfu.edu.

Media are invited to attend the celebration at Truist Field. Students and job outlook experts will be available for interviews ahead of the event between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Contact media@wfu.edu to reserve a spot and obtain credentials.

Before the Truist Field celebration on May 16, each graduate will be recognized in one of four Diploma Ceremonies that will take place in Joel Coliseum. The first one will begin at 8:30 a.m. These events will feature remarks from University leaders and will include individual recognition while each graduate crosses the stage. Each ceremony will last about one hour.

Wake Forest’s Degree Ceremonies are ticketed events reserved for graduates and their guests. They are not open to the public. Livestream webcasts will be available. More information can be found at commencement.wfu.edu.

Media are invited to attend the final diploma ceremony to be held from 4 – 5 p.m. Contact media@wfu.edu to reserve a spot and obtain credentials.

COVID-19 Information

To comply with mass gathering orders, all Commencement events will require that attendees wear masks and practice social distancing with people outside their groups. Venue seating plans have been adjusted to comply with CDC and local guidelines. 

Baccalaureate information

The Baccalaureate celebration will be held virtually on Saturday, May 15 at 10 a.m. Bishop Michael Curry, the 27th and current presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, will be the speaker. 

2021 Honorary Degree Recipients

In addition to President Hatch, two others will be awarded honorary degrees. Henri R. Ford, MD, MHA will receive an honorary degree at the School of Medicine Hooding ceremony on May 15 at 7 p.m. at Joel Coliseum. Thomas P. Gibbons, CEO of BNY Mellon, will receive an honorary at the School of Business Hooding ceremony at Joel Coliseum on Monday, May 17 at noon in a pre-recorded ceremony,

Additional information about Wake Forest’s commencement weekend is available at commencement.wfu.edu.