The University of Lynchburg has decided, without consulting the student body, to hold the BA and BS Undergraduate Commencement ceremony for 2022 on Shellenberger instead of the Dell. This change of venue could effect all future graduating classes as well. This decision is blatant disrespect to the students that have worked hard for the past four years to graduate from this university. 

When we toured the University as high school students they told us that we will walk from the chapel to Hopwood when we graduate. We were told of the significance of this walk, in case you have forgotten the meaning, the path from the chapel and Hopwood is the only straight path on campus. Our founder Josephus Hopwood purposefully formed this connection to represent the ties between faith and education. By the change in venue, they are erasing the history of our school. They are contradicting the morals and ethics that the University has instilled in us. Additionally, on the Dell we walk through Friendship circle which represents the connections and memories we have made during our four years here. We can see the buildings we had classes in, ate lunch in the symbolic red chairs with friends and professors, and remember how proud we are of our university. On Shellenberger, there is no meaning. The Dell is the heart of campus and by having our graduation and possibly future graduations on Shellenberger they are removing all love and respect they have for us, the students! 

If we focus on the physical problems with Shellenberger, there are plenty to be pointed out. First, Shellenberger supplies no shade, the parents, grandparents, and students would have to endure direct sunlight for hours. Unlike the Dell where there are countless trees to supply shade, and a cool breeze. Secondly, the physical attributes on Shellenberger are appalling in contrast to the Dell. Shellenberger sits next to physically unattractive buildings. The Dell’s buildings are beautifully crafted, they hold character, charm, and meaning. With all due respect, we must question why Shellenberger was picked to be the graduation venue, and if money had an influence. Is our graduation being held on Shellenberger to show off the new jumbotron, Westover, even the new soundbooth? We hope money and pride did not influence this decision as that would be disgraceful.

The decision of changing the graduation venue demonstrates the disrespect this university has for its own students. As students of this university, we are adamantly against this proposed commencement location. Please sign our petition so we can make our voices heard and change our commencement venue back to the Dell.