Fisher Celebrates the Class of 2021 with Eight Ceremonies across Four Days

St. John Fisher College will graduate more than 1,000 baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral students during its 67th Commencement, during a series of eight ceremonies held Thursday, May 6 through Monday, May 10.

Two special members of the campus community—past Board of Trustees chairman and alumnus Jack DePeters ’73 and Dr. Arlette Miller Smith, a longtime professor in the School of Arts and Sciences and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education—will be honored alongside the Class of 2021.

During the School of Business ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 7, DePeters will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, recognizing his dedication and commitment to the College as a member of the Board of Trustees for the last 14 years, including a term as chair of the Board.

During the School of Arts and Sciences ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, Miller Smith will receive a President’s Medal in recognition of her vast contributions to the Fisher community. Miller Smith retired from Fisher in spring 2020 after a more than 20-year career at the College.

Each school-based ceremony will feature a student speaker, remarks from the dean, and the official conferral of degrees. At several ceremonies, graduates of doctoral degree programs will be hooded.

Each ceremony will also be viewable via a live video feed.

Schedule of Ceremonies
(All ceremonies will be held in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center Fieldhouse)

Thursday, May 6
3 p.m. - Wegmans School of Nursing Undergraduate Ceremony

7 p.m. - Wegmans School of Nursing Graduate Ceremony

Friday, May 7
1 p.m. - Wegmans School of Pharmacy Ceremony

5 p.m. - School of Business Ceremony

Saturday, May 8
9 a.m. - School of Arts and Sciences Morning Ceremony

1 p.m. - School of Arts and Sciences Afternoon Ceremony

5 p.m. - Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education Ceremony

Monday, May 10
3 p.m. – Athletes Ceremony (a special ceremony for athletes still in-season who were unable to attend their school-based ceremonies due to games.)