Connecting Cherished Traditions
Linking commencement and reunion celebrations offers new opportunities for graduating students and alumni to build community.
RISD’s commencement ceremony has been celebrated for many decades. Over the years there have been many changes, but one thing remains constant—the RISD community loves to come together to celebrate the achievements of its graduates.
With COVID-19 public health guidelines preventing an in-person graduation this past spring, RISD took the opportunity to rethink the event and create something even better.
The Classes of 2020 and 2021 will celebrate a joint commencement ceremony on June 5, 2021. That same weekend, alumni with class years ending in 0, 1, 5 and 6 will return to campus to celebrate their reunions and welcome graduates. The new Commencement + Reunion Weekend (June 4–6) offers opportunities to build new traditions and forge connections between graduating students and alumni more established in their careers.
Although reunions are moving to the spring, RISD Weekend—held every October for families and alumni—continues. Though RISD Weekend was held online in 2020, RISD looks forward to hosting open studios, panel discussions and other in-person programming next year.
