Penn State will host in-person commencement ceremonies in May 2021 to celebrate the members of the class of 2021, mark the completion of their academic experience and recognize their many accomplishments. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of students, their guests and campus communities are the University’s continued priority, and all ceremonies will follow health and safety guidelines and state and federal guidelines for gatherings. The University is prepared to adjust plans based on changing virus conditions or changes in public health guidelines.
Each campus, including University Park, will host its own ceremony, or ceremonies, to honor their graduates and will be sharing detailed information directly with graduating students. A University-wide virtual ceremony also will be available for students, friends and family members who are unable to attend or prefer to participate online.
For members of the class of 2020, Penn State has previously committed to an in-person, on-campus celebration for graduates, family and friends, and the University is currently planning for a special weekend in spring 2022 for members of the class of 2020 to return to campus to celebrate their commencement. As details are finalized, each campus will communicate specific plans for their campus.
For additional information about spring 2021 commencement, check Penn State’s commencement website, which includes detailed FAQs for students and guests about ceremonies at University Park as well as links to each campus website where additional details will be shared as available.
Commencement
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Penn State is hosting in-person spring 2021 commencement ceremonies, in accordance with health and safety guidelines, to recognize the many accomplishments of our graduates. The commencement ceremonies for University Park are scheduled for May 7-9 in Beaver Stadium. A detailed schedule of ceremonies, by college, is available on Penn State’s commencement website.
Undergraduate students and graduate students in the Graduate School at University Park and World Campus who filed their intent to graduate in spring 2021 will receive information to attend the commencement ceremony for their assigned college. To support appropriate physical distancing during the ceremonies, each graduate can invite up to two guests. Tickets will be required for all graduates and guests to attend the ceremony. Specific information on obtaining tickets will be provided directly to graduates.
Graduates, friends and family members who are unable or prefer to not attend in person also can join a University-wide virtual ceremony on May 9 at 6 p.m. at virtual.commencement.psu.edu and/or tune in to a livestream of their college’s in-person ceremony. Please be sure your family and friends know the date and time of the ceremony you’re attending.
For specific information about guest limits, tickets, arrival times, seating and more, visit the University Park commencement website and commencement FAQs. If you have additional commencement-related questions, email graduation@psu.edu. -
To recognize the many accomplishments of our graduates, each Penn State Commonwealth Campus location is hosting its own ceremony or ceremonies to honor their graduates and will be sharing detailed ceremony information directly with graduating students. As it becomes available, more information about each campus’ ceremony also will be shared on each campus website.
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Virtual ceremonies served as a first step in recognizing the academic achievements of members of the class of 2020 during this global pandemic. In partnership with the Penn State Alumni Association and in consultation with alumni representatives, the University is planning for a special weekend in spring 2022 to celebrate the members of the class of 2020. More information and a specific date will be forthcoming as the University continues to develop plans to welcome recent graduates and their families back to campuses next spring with a variety of activities and events. In addition, Commonwealth Campuses will communicate specific plans for their alumni.
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Yes. To help make commencement celebrations accessible to all our graduating students and their friends and families, Penn State is planning a University-wide virtual ceremony, for students and guests who are unable to attend or prefer to participate online. The University-wide virtual ceremony celebrating graduates from all campuses will be streamed on May 9 at 6 p.m. at virtual.commencement.psu.edu. The virtual ceremony will celebrate all undergraduate and graduate students at Commonwealth Campuses, University Park and World Campus — including those also attending an in-person ceremony — and will feature the conferral of degrees, induction into the Alumni Association and more.
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Yes. To support the health and safety of graduating students and their guests, students who would like to be tested for COVID-19 before participating in an in-person commencement ceremony will be able to do so through the University’s on-demand testing process at each campus. At the Commonwealth Campuses, testing processes are defined for each campus and are typically administered by the local health center or other designated area. Specific details and hours can be obtained on campus through the campus Student Affairs office. To learn more, a list of campus-specific COVID-19 resources is available.