With COVID-19 lessening, Penn State plans to hold in-person commencement ceremonies in May
Penn State will hold in-person commencement ceremonies in May for the class of 2021, in addition to virtual and livestream options, the university announced Wednesday afternoon.
Previously, it was unknown whether the university might eschew the ceremonies again this year after the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to them in spring 2020. But, with rising vaccination rates and relaxed state guidelines that allow for larger gatherings, Penn State made the decision to move forward with the in-person graduation events.
“To be able to celebrate in person is important, and I am so pleased we will be able to gather together many of our graduates on campuses and virtually to mark this important milestone for the members of the class of 2021,” Penn State President Eric Barron said in a written statement. “This is such a special time for our students, and we look forward to celebrating the culmination of their years of dedication and hard work.”
That doesn’t mean everything will immediately return to normal, however. Although the University Park ceremonies will take place inside Beaver Stadium — rain or shine — on their originally scheduled weekend of May 7-9, graduates will also be limited to two guests each to promote social distancing and support seating accommodations. (Even if the state further relaxes COVID-19 guidelines, the university noted the number of guests will not increase.)
To protect the health and safety of those in attendance, graduates will also not be called upon to walk across the stage. However, every graduate’s name, degree and major will be featured on a video board during the ceremony. Face masks will also be required.
“We all need to continue our vigilance with respect to COVID-19, and I call on everyone in our community to continue to follow all public health guidelines,” Barron added.
Seats will be arranged in pods of three — the graduate and up to two guests — and pods will be socially distanced from one another. To secure a seat, tickets will be required and can be attained via a two-step process: Graduates must first respond to an email from graduation@psu.edu later this month to RSVP for the in-person ceremony and, in April, graduates will then receive further instruction from golions@psu.edu for the tickets.
Ceremonies at Beaver Stadium will be livestreamed for those who cannot make it, and a universitywide virtual ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. May 9 for University Park, World Campus and the commonwealth campuses.
For those who missed out on commencement last year, the university also plans to hold “a special weekend in spring 2022” to celebrate. More information is expected to be released as it becomes available.
The university’s current plans for the in-person commencement ceremonies hinge on circumstances surrounding the pandemic not changing or worsening. In the event they do, the university could potentially pivot. For more information on that, or in the event of severe weather, graduates and their families are urged to visit commencement.psu.edu.
This story was originally published March 17, 2021 at 2:03 PM.
