In the wake of this new semester, the class of 2026 has been faced with a big
announcement regarding their upcoming graduation ceremony. The Roanoke College
Administration has decided to relocate graduation from the Front Quad to Salem Stadium.
Hundreds of students are severely dissatisfied with the decision, as it breaks a longstanding tradition of having the ceremony in one of the most picturesque locations on
Campus.
Soon after the announcement was released, a student started a petition on
Change.org asking the administration to keep graduation on the Front Quad. Receiving
nearly 800 signatures so far, the petition has reached not only the class of 2026 but also
countless alumni, parents, and many others. Many petitioners are pointing out that the
Front Quad tradition helps Roanoke stand out from other colleges as a historic liberal arts
School.
Although the administration has yet to respond to the petition, there are a few
reasons why they have chosen to move graduation to Salem Stadium. Simply put, the
Salem Stadium can accommodate more people for less money. In addition, the stadium is
more accessible for people with disabilities compared to the Front Quad.
I got the chance to speak with one student whose opinion differs from many of his
graduating classmates. When asked about his opinion on the Salem Stadium graduation,
senior Ricardo Castaneda said that he and his friends have agreed that this change might
be for the better, stating, “I know it’s a tradition, but it’s a good idea for convenience.”
Ricky expressed that he’s been to many Roanoke College graduation ceremonies on the
Front Quad, where he couldn’t see the front due to the hilly terrain of the area.
All in all, the symbolic tradition of a Front Quad graduation means a lot to many
Roanoke College community members, while others are willing to let go of the tradition for the sake of convenience. One can hope that there may be a way to keep the tradition alive
and also accommodate everyone. If you have opinions or suggestions on this debate, you
can sign the petition at Change.org or reach out to the college’s administration to make
your voice heard.
Madeline Wall
Staff Reporter
