Grad Walk
Class of 2021, get ready to cross the stage! Use our Grad Walk checklist to ensure you are ready to celebrate!
Dates and location
Eligibility and sign up
The deadline to sign-up and select a time slot for the Grad Walk has now passed.
For any questions, please contact the Special Events Office at special.eventsoffice@cortland.edu.
Photography and pricing
If you would like to order prints, please follow instructions below:
- GradImages is the official photographer at your graduation ceremony.
- Your photos will be available to view and order by visiting their website.
- Simply enter your last name and SUNY Cortland as your school name.
- Once you see your name, go to the link to view your photos.
- If you need additional help to locate your photos, call our customer service department at 800-261-2576 or email.
Commencement Cam online video stream
A link to view the livestream will be shared once available. The video of the Grad Walk will also be available for viewing once the event has concluded. We encourage eligible graduates to create a written message to their friends and family watching at home by writing a message on the Blaze message template.
Print your own at home or pick up a pre-printed Blaze template on-campus at the following locations between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Tuesday, May 11:
- Student Government Association
Corey Union, Room 217 - Advisement and Transition
Memorial Library, Room A-111 - Special Events for the President
Miller Building, Room 216 - Alumni Engagement
Brockway Hall, Room 207
COVID-19 guidance and actions required to participate
To participate in the Class of 2021 Grad Walk:
You must provide your COVID-19 status through one of the three options below:
- Option 1: Upload proof of negative test using the COVID-19 test results upload page in the COVID-19 tab in myRedDragon. Proof of negative test must have a date that is within 72 hours of your ticket sign-up time. For example, if your ticket sign-up time is Thursday, May 13, your test should be dated Monday, May 10 or later; or
- Option 2: Upload proof of positive COVID-19 test dated 10 to 90 days from the sign-up time by using the COVID-19 test results upload page in the COVID-19 tab in myRedDragon. If a positive result is dated within the last 10 days, the student cannot attend; or
- Option 3: Participate in on-campus testing. Testing will be conducted at the Student Life Center on Monday, May 10, from 9 a.m. until noon.
AND
- Complete your daily screening the day of your sign-up time and have webpage or screenshot ready to show on site to be admitted to the Grad Walk.
- Maintain physical distancing; stay 6 feet apart.
- Wear a face covering. Masks must be worn when not in designated photography areas.
Please note that proof of vaccination will not be accepted in lieu of COVID-19 testing status.
Special person(s) submission
Submit a special person(s) with your name on the Class of 2021 celebration website.
Please note: The Class of 2021 Virtual Celebration website features bachelor's and master's degree candidates who have applied to graduate. Eligibility to graduate has not been verified.
- To submit a special person, please complete the following steps:
- Log into myRedDragon.
- Select the Commencement tab on the top of the page.
- Within the Commencement tab, you will have the option to submit both a special person and/or photo.
- Please complete your submission(s) by Wednesday, April 27, 2021.
Cortland Congrats
Submit a congratulatory message to the Class of 2021
Prior to and during the virtual celebration, students, faculty, staff, alumni and all members of the SUNY Cortland family are encouraged to share a message of congratulations to the Class of 2021. To share your notes, photos and videos post your message on social media and use the hashtag #CortlandCongrats. You also may submit a message on the Class of 2021 Celebration board directly by clicking on the button entitled "Share Your Cortland Moment." All messages will be featured on the celebration website in early April and will be available for viewing for the remainder of the year.
Class of 2021 Apparel Design Contest
Calling all creatives! This is your opportunity to showcase your unique design skills, commemorate your class and win a prize package. Submit your original artwork for the chance to be featured on the official SUNY Cortland Class of 2021 apparel sold through The Campus Store. Submissions will be accepted through Monday, March 22, 2021.
How to submit your design
All contest submissions must be made by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 22, 2021. Winning submission will be announced Wednesday, April 7, 2021 via email and this webpage. The winner will be contacted regarding details on how to receive their prize.
Prizes
The winner of the design contest will be featured on the Class of 2021 official apparel that will be for sale at The Campus Store. They also will receive a prize package with the apparel that incorporates their original design.
Eligibility and rules
- All members of the SUNY Cortland student population are eligible to submit and encouraged to participate.
- Design must be original and created by the person who submits it. You are encouraged to utilize the SUNY Cortland Marketing/Communications Toolkit to incorporate graphics.
- All submissions will be reviewed and approved by the marketing committee prior to the voting poll opening. Any designs and/or photos referencing drugs or alcohol or including profanity or nudity will be disqualified.
- By participating in this contest, you grant SUNY Cortland permission to use submitted content for marketing and advertising purposes.
Voting
- All submissions will be reviewed and approved by the Marketing Committee prior to the voting poll opening. Any designs and/or photos referencing drugs or alcohol or including profanity or nudity will be disqualified.
- Voting will begin on Tuesday, March 23 at 12:01 a.m. through Friday, March 26, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
- Winner will be announced Wednesday, April 7, 2021, via email and this webpage. The winning design and the designer will be featured on our website.
Ordering Class of 2021 apparel
The results are in! Congratulations to senior Ava Marsich, who submitted the winning design.
Thank you to Emily Davella, who created the idea for the contest.
The official Class of 2021 apparel can be ordered now at The Campus Store.
Orders will be shipped by The Campus Store on or before, May 1.
Class of 2021 Celebration and Ceremony Schedule
Schedule of events: May 11 through 15, 2021
Join us for a celebration honoring the Class of 2021, with new activities featured daily. Share your SUNY Cortland spirit by using the hashtag #Cortland2021 throughout the week.
Participate each day to show your Red Dragon Pride and for the chance to win Cortland swag. You will receive daily emails the week of the celebration with more information on how to join in each activity.
Many activities involve social media. If you do not use social media, or if your account is private, you can also email images to special.eventsoffice@cortland.edu to be posted on the Special Events for the President Instagram page.
Tuesday, May 11
"Toast to You" Tuesday
Let's raise a toast to you — the Class of 2021 — and your time at SUNY Cortland. Join the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association to reminisce, celebrate and look ahead to the future as a proud Red Dragon alum with your fellow classmates, student and university leaders, plus some surprise guests!
The toast will begin at 7 p.m. on WebEx.For more details visit the Class of 2021 Virtual Toast page. Please register by Monday, May 10.
Wednesday, May 12
“Where You Belong” Wednesday
If you are not on campus, you can revisit some favorite campus locations online all week. Use our virtual backgrounds in a photo or share your Cortland photos/memories using #Cortland2021.
Use the Class of 2021 virtual backgrounds and GIFs to add to your favorite selfies from your favorite campus locations.
Follow @specialeventscortland on Instagram for details on how to enter the Favorite Cortland Memories photo contest to win Class of 2021 apparel and more!
Thursday, May 13
“Toss Your Cap” Thursday
Show off your decorated cap for the chance to win prizes in our Class of 2021 Cap Contest.
Enter to win or view what other Red Dragons create using #CortlandCap2021 and #Cortland2021. Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.
Cortland Caps Contest
Categories
- Best in SUNY Cortland Spirit
- Most Creative
- Most Inspiring
- Most Humorous
- Best in Show — Grand prize
Prizes
The “Best in Show” cap will be selected to win the grand prize:
- SUNY Cortland diploma frame
- The winner will be announced and featured on the Class of 2021 Celebration board
First and runner-up in each category will receive Cortland swag and will be featured and announced on the Class of 2021 Celebration website on Thursday, May 13, 2021 by the end of the day. All entries will be featured on social media and the Virtual Celebration site.
Supplies you'll need
- Cap and/or banner
- No cap or banner? No problem!
- You may create your own cap or banner using a piece of paper, cardboard, cardstock or other preferred material.
- Decoration materials (e.g., paint, markers, vinyl, glitter, stickers, etc.)
- Please note: Entries must be handcrafted and original.
- Collect all of your materials, find inspiration and put your creative thinking cap on!
Submit your design
Post your cap on social media using #CortlandCap2021 and #Cortland2021 or email it to Special.EventsOffice@cortland.edu
Details
Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Winners will be announced Thursday, May 13, 2021 on the Virtual Celebration site and will be contacted regarding details on how to receive their prize.Eligibility and rules
- All members of the SUNY Cortland Class of 2021 are eligible and encouraged to participate.
- Cap must be original and handcrafted/created by the person who submits it. Submissions must be made by the creator.
- Any cap designs and or photos referencing drugs or alcohol or including profanity or nudity will be disqualified.
- By participating in this contest, you grant SUNY Cortland permission to use submitted content for marketing and advertising purposes.
- Prizes may be delivered at a later date
Friday, May 14
“Favorite Photo” Friday
Saturday, May 15
Virtual Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m.
Watch the virtual ceremony with family and friends at 10 a.m. and stream your Grad Walk video to create your own Commencement viewing party. The link to view the Commencement Ceremony will be shared soon!