Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) held the 2021 Fall Commencement on August 22, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Samsung Arts Center.

The ceremony, which began with an academic procession from the University Headquarters to the Samsung Arts Center, was held with the attendance of President Kim Dong-won, headquarters executives and members of the Academic Affairs Council, former presidents, and Jeong Young-taek, president of the Alumni Association.

President Kim Dong-won conferred degrees on 1,034 bachelor's degree recipients, 349 master's degree recipients, and 140 doctoral degree recipients, totaling 1,523 graduates.

In addition, student Kang Myung-shin (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agri‑Food Marketing) and 91 others were selected as outstanding graduates; student Choi Ye-sol (College of Engineering, Division of Advanced Materials Engineering) and six others received the Core Talent Award. Seventeen individuals, including Dr. Lee Joo-song (College of Engineering, Department of Nano Convergence Engineering), received the Outstanding Research Award.

The university installed photo zones at Geonji Square, the Central Library, and the Samsung Arts Center from August 19–24, 2021 for graduates who could not attend the ceremony. A photo zone exclusively for international students was also set up at the Samsung Arts Center so they could preserve special memories.

Graduates and their families who came to the ceremony gathered at the photo zones to take pictures in small groups, producing a lively commencement for the first time in a long while since COVID-19.

In his commencement address, President Kim Dong-won urged graduates to confront unprecedented change with an indomitable spirit and to turn crises into opportunities as members of JBNU. He emphasized leading lives of consideration and respect, maintaining a positive mindset, embracing challenge and response, and becoming the kind of talent society needs.

President Kim emphasized, "Arnold Toynbee, one of the greatest historians of the 20th century, said that the world's four great civilizations did not arise in favorable environments but were the result of humans overcoming harsh conditions. The Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations were the result of challenges posed by desertification, and Chinese civilization likewise began in response to the flooding of the Yellow River," adding, "By thinking anew and embracing change, your willingness to challenge and to respond can create a new world."