In processions unlike any other in UVA’s history, students took the traditional walk down the Lawn but then continued on to Scott Stadium, where they walked onto the football field and were seated for the ceremonies. Students' guests were physically distanced in the stadium’s seating areas in order to adhere to state guidelines regarding gatherings during the pandemic.
Setting up for the smaller ceremonies was easier in some respects compared to past years since only 1,500 chairs were installed on the field at Scott Stadium compared to the typical 35,000 on the Lawn. However, the new logistics were challenging to figure out for the first time according to Associate Director of Facilities Maintenance Mike Merriam, who coordinated Facilities Management's support of the ceremonies.
Multiple Operations and Capital Construction & Renovations teams assisted with all aspects of the ceremonies, from the planning stages throughout the execution and clean-up. The Geospatial Engineering Services team helped analyze different location and capacity scenarios; Energy & Utilities teams assisted with placing barriers surrounding Scott Stadium; and Landscape Services, Recycling Services and Custodial Services all provided extra support to ensure Grounds was in top condition.
Zone Maintenance teams supported the installation of various equipment, including electrical power for audiovisual systems along the procession route; coordination of the stage, platform and ramp permits; and provided the setup and breakdown of chairs at both the ROTC ceremony in Darden Court and all of the Scott Stadium ceremonies.
The Sign Shop team worked non-stop leading up to graduation — installing roping and barricades around Grounds as well as printing and installing seat decals within Scott Stadium. They also fabricated and installed special graduation banners and ground decals along the one-mile procession route. Multiple Facilities Management teams including plumbers, elevator technicians and fire and life safety staff, were on standby throughout the ceremony.
Office for Sustainability staff coordinated the Balloon Brigade collection and donation efforts this year. They collected hundreds of balloons from graduates during each of the 2020 and 2021 ceremonies, ensuring they wouldn’t be released into the environment. Sustainability staff members worked with the General Services team to deliver the donated balloons to patients at UVA Children’s hospital as well as to other local kids and seniors.
Landscape Senior Worker Abdalla Mohamed applies mulch near Brown College. Sign Shop Workers Shawn Anderson, Jim Keseday and Avery Wood pose in front of a special ground decal they installed in front of Rice Hall. (Photos by Jane Centofante / User Experience & Engagement) General Services Operator Evan Baldino and General Services Supervisor Tim Gilmer deliver donated balloons to UVA Children's Hospital. (Photo by Dan Addison / University Communications)