Commencement

A message from President Lugo

March 19, 2020

Dear 2020 Graduate Candidates, 

These are certainly unprecedented times in our communities and around the world. I’m truly heartbroken by how the pandemic is affecting your final weeks as a Queens student.  

While so much is still uncertain, I am reaching out today with a commitment to you – we will have you and your families back on campus at some point to celebrate commencement. It will not be on Saturday, May 2.  But it will happen. Due to new guidelines and restrictions defined by the CDC, North Carolina, and Mecklenburg County Departments of Health, gatherings larger than 50 attendees are strictly prohibited for at least the next 8 weeks. While I agree with the need to make this change, I know that it has many difficult impacts, both practically and emotionally. Later today we will update the full community about our 2020 commencement, but I am writing to you, our graduate candidates first, as you will be most impacted. 

Right now on campus, the leadership, faculty and staff are thinking of you and are deeply saddened by the effect of the health crisis on your experience. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I visited every residence hall as many of you moved out and were forced to say rushed goodbyes to your best friends and classmates.  The pain and emotion generated by these circumstances was palpable and each of you have my sympathy. We are still faced with daily, difficult decisions as we continue to navigate these unchartered waters. And it’s not the same without you here.  

We look forward to seeing your smiling faces again and celebrating your academic achievements like you deserve. Until then, best of luck in your online learning. And keep Queens in your heart. You are certainly in ours. 

Sincerely, 

President Lugo 

additional information

• Students who will complete their degree requirements at the end of the Spring semester will have their diplomas mailed from the Registrar’s Office to their home address in May.
• Verify your address is up to date by confirming your mailing address.   
• Please make sure your balance is paid in full. Contact Student Financial Services at finaid@queens.edu if you have any questions.

• Caps and gowns can still be picked up in the Queens Bookstore beginning April 20.  The regalia can also be held until the new event date.  If you are not able to pick up your gown, please contact the Bookstore at bookstore@queens.edu for shipping arrangements.  Students who selected “home delivery” with their order should still expect their order to arrive in late April.

• Herff Jones, our graduation products partner, will be offering free inserts for those students who have already purchased their graduation announcements.  The inserts will be printed on the same paper and with the same font and ink as the announcement and will include the new date and time of the ceremony.  Once a new date has been chosen, a notice will be posted on theHerff Jones website at orderHJ.com/queens with instructions on re-orders. 

• Parking registrations received so far will be voided and registration will re-open when details are confirmed for the new date. Please be sure to share this information with guests who may have already registered.

COMMENCEMENT CONTACTS

Commencement Office
Ginger Marr, Commencement Coordinator
1900 Selwyn Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28274
704-337-2444
marrg@queens.edu

McColl School of Business

Pam Reid, Office Manager, MSB
704-337-2377
reidp@queens.edu

Registrar
Amanda Bennett, Assistant Registrar
704-337-2242
www.queens.edu/registrar
mydegree@queens.edu

Student Accessibility Services
Cort Schneider, Director
704-337-2508
schneiderc@queens.edu

Blair College of Health and Presbyterian School of Nursing
Holly Vanager, Compliance Communication Coordinator
704-337-2542
vanagerh@queens.edu

Queens Bookstore
Kathy Devlin, Manager
704-337-2413
bookstore@queens.edu

Cato School of Education
Somer Saunders, Recruiter/Student Support Specialist
704-337-2580
saunderss@queens.edu

Student Financial Services
704-337-2225
studentaccounts@queens.edu

College of Arts and Sciences
Shannon Bray, Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies
704-688-2866
brays@queens.edu

Herff Jones
For regalia, announcements and class rings:
herffjones.com

Knight School of Communication
Kim Taylor, Administrative Assistant
704-337-2397
taylork3@queens.edu

Photo Specialties
800-722-7033
info@photospecialties.com