MSUM Commencement 2021
As the capstone celebration of the college experience, commencement is one of our favorite celebrations at Minnesota State University Moorhead. It is the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice by our students. MSUM will celebrate our newest graduates’ extraordinary achievements during four college-level virtual ceremonies on May 13 and 14.
In addition to the four virtual ceremonies, MSUM encouraged students, families and employees to hold in-person traditions in smaller groups and to partake in some photo opportunities on campus.
When it is once again safe to meet in large groups, all graduates are invited to participate in an in-person commencement ceremony of their choosing. Watch the graduation webpage for participation details.
Virtual Ceremonies
The four college-level virtual commencement ceremonies will be streamed live on the MSUM website:
- Thursday, May 13 at 10 a.m. – College of Arts & Humanities
- Thursday, May 13 at 2 p.m. – College of Business, Analytics & Communication
- Friday, May 14 at 10 a.m. – College of Education & Human Services
- Friday, May 14 at 2 p.m. – College of Science, Health & the Environment
In-Person Gatherings
The following small, in-person gatherings recognizing Spring 2021 graduates were organized by various campus departments and student organizations:
In-Person Academic Celebrations
International Sash Ceremony
May 12 | 4 p.m. | Hansen Theatre
Celebrating our graduating international students.
Leadership & Learning Graduation Celebration
May 13 | 5:30 p.m. | Hansen Theatre or Zoom.
Celebrating our Ed.D., MS and Specialist graduates in the Department of Leadership & Learning who graduated in May, August and December 2020, and May 2021 graduates.
Speech Language and Hearing Science Hooding Ceremony
May 14 | 8-9 a.m. | Hansen Theatre or Zoom
Celebrating our SLHS graduate students.
Speech Language and Hearing Science Graduation Reception
May 14 | 11:30 a.m. | Outdoors South of Murray Hall
Open house celebrating SLHS graduates.
School Psychology Graduate Program Celebration
May 14 | 12:30 p.m. | Bridges 363 and Zoom
Celebrating our master’s degree graduates.
Celebration of Physics/Astronomy Graduates
May 14 | 1 p.m. | Outside of Hagen Hall
Celebrating our physics and astronomy graduates.
In-Person Athletics Celebration
Student Athlete Celebration
May 12 | 2:30 p.m. | Nemzek Fieldhouse
Celebrating our graduating student athletes.
In-Person End of Year Events & Celebrations (Open to All Students)
Student Leadership Awards Ceremony
April 27 | CMU Ballroom & Zoom
The 2021 Student Leadership Awards were held on Tuesday, April 27. With 80+ nominations received in 16 award categories, we recognized and celebrated each nominee for their contributions to MSUM. Students and campus community members attended in-person (75 attendees) and viewed the livestream (150+) to cheer on the nominees and winners. View the list of Student Leadership Award winners.
Epic Picnic
April 30 | Campus Mall
More than 22+ students attended the Epic Picnic. During the afternoon, students enjoyed a tasty grill-out for lunch hosted by MSUM Dining. Activities included: Life-Size Mario Kart, Stuff-a-Dragon, an ice cream cart from Scoop ‘n’ Dough, caricatures, and rides on the Dragon Train. Plus, many students had fun with yard games, a picnic basket hunt for prizes, and inflatable games.
Spring Jam
May 4 | Nemzek Athletic Complex
Roughly 250 students attended Spring Jam. MSUM Spring Jam is a festival consisting of live music, food trucks, and games hosted at the Nemzek Athletic complex and produced by Dragon Entertainment Group. Performers of the night include Night Moves, Jessica Vines, Kevin Gamble Quartet, and Darian Clark.
In-Person Student Organization Celebrations
Lavender Graduation
April 22 | 7 p.m.
FM LGBTQ+ College Alliance celebrated the achievements of graduating LGBTQ+ college students from quad-college institutions. All were welcome to attend and show support for graduating students via Zoom webinar. Participating students were from Concordia, M State, MSUM and NDSU.
Dragon KPop Dance – student organization
May 4 | Campus Mall
End of year celebration on the Campus Mall.
NSSLHA / Collegiate Sertoma
May 4
This student organization hosted an end-year celebration in-person and provided a live stream.
American Indian Student Association Study Day Social
May 5 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | CMU 105
Hosted an end-of-year celebration in CMU 105 on May 5.
Student Senate Banquet
May 6 | CMU 105
All members received recognition for their service and graduates received graduation stoles to wear as regalia.
Fraternity and Sorority Life End-of-Year Celebration
May 8
All chapters — Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, and Kappa Sigma — participated in an end-of-year celebration. Graduates who are chapter members receive regalia to wear during graduation.
Dragon Ambassadors
May 13 | 11 a.m. | CMU 105, Campus Mall
Celebrating our graduating dragon ambassadors.