UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State and the Penn State Alumni Association are pleased to announce that the Class of 2020 Commencement Celebration Weekend will take place April 29 to May 1, 2022. All members of the Class of 2020 — including undergraduates and Graduate School graduates from University Park, Commonwealth Campuses and World Campus — are invited to attend this special celebration at University Park with their families and friends.
“I am so proud of the members of the Class of 2020 and the resilience they embodied as they navigated the pandemic,” said Penn State President Eric J. Barron. “Even though these recent alumni have launched their lives and careers, it is important to me, and our entire University community, to welcome them back to campus for a special weekend in their honor and to celebrate their achievements as Penn Staters.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health guidance on gatherings at the time, the University first hosted virtual commencement ceremonies for the spring, summer and fall graduating classes throughout 2020. As previously shared, these virtual ceremonies were the first step in recognizing these graduates for their academic accomplishments.
In spring 2021, the University shared that this special celebration weekend would take place in spring 2022. Given logistics, planning and weather considerations, these dates emerged as the best option to provide a weekend that was exclusive for the members of the Class of 2020 and their friends and families, while addressing alumni preferences for a return to campus with as few COVID-19 restrictions as possible.
Graduates and their families and friends are invited to:
- Commencement ceremonies in the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, April 30.
- Activities and events throughout the weekend (a detailed schedule is forthcoming) hosted by the Penn State Alumni Association, colleges and student organizations.
- A Movin’ On concert for the Penn State community on Friday, April 29.
The schedule for commencement ceremonies will be dependent upon the number of graduates and guests planning to attend. The ceremonies will be created especially for the Class of 2020 and will include traditional elements of a commencement ceremony such as individual recognition as graduates cross the stage platform.
More details, including a schedule of events and registration information, will be provided in the coming months. Graduates should make sure their email address is up to date to receive future email updates from the University about the weekend.
“We are so excited to welcome the Class of 2020 back to campus next spring,” said Paul Clifford, president of the Penn State Alumni Association and a fellow Class of 2020 graduate. “We hope our alumni and their friends and families will join us for a weekend of special activities and events, as well as visit their favorite places on campus and in the Centre region.”
Campuses
Class of 2020 alumni who graduated from undergraduate or graduate degree programs at any of the Commonwealth Campus locations are invited to attend the commencement celebration weekend from April 29 to May 1, 2022, at University Park. Additionally, each Commonwealth Campus location will be in touch with their graduates regarding a separate celebration at their home campus.
The commencement ceremonies for Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Law and Dickinson Law are traditionally unique and are separate from the University ceremonies. The ceremony during the commencement celebration weekend will not be specific to those who have completed medical or law degrees.
Future communications regarding the Class of 2020 Commencement Celebration Weekend will be provided via Penn State News and Penn State social channels, as well as email. Class of 2020 graduates can update their email address at alumni.psu.edu/update to receive future communications.