For years, Roanoke College has held commencement on their front quad in front of one of the most iconic parts of campus, the admin building. As a current senior, front quad commencement is one of the things that I loved most about Roanoke. It felt personal, intentional, and unique to what other schools did. It has been a long standing tradition that I, and I know many others, were extremely excited to be a part of.

Unfortunately, without the input of the student body, the school has decided to move commencement to Salem Stadium, an off campus location. This location is much less personal and requires students to drive off the campus they spent four very hard academic and financial years on to graduate. This requires the class of 2026 to break the long standing and meaningful tradition at Roanoke College, and in turn, diminishing their accomplishments made while on campus. Families will not be able to be a part of this special day for the class of 2026 on the same campus the class has called home and have loved for the past four years. Instead, they will be at an entirely too big and unaffiliated football stadium that holds no significance to the class, the school, or to tradition. Our final moments as Roanoke College students should be on the campus we chose to spend four years of our life on. When someone chooses a small liberal arts school, they also choose a small and impactful commencement ceremony as well. We chose Roanoke because we did not want to be just another number in the student body. We chose to be seen and heard by our professors, peers, and admin.

Please, if you are a Roanoke College student and/or faculty or staff member and you believe this change is unfair and unreasonable, sign this petition. I will be sending regular updates to admin to show what the students actually think of this unwanted and unwarranted change. If accessibility is the issue, then we will gladly work with the school to achieve a solution that both aids family members and respects the wants and accomplishments of the class of 2026 and on. After four years of tuition, tears, and hard work, students deserve the chance to uphold a very respected and beloved tradition. Please, don’t let us lose what makes Roanoke College so special.