Commencement
Friday, May 21, 2021
We look forward to sharing our Virtual Commencement on Friday, May 21 at noon. For more details read the latest announcement below.
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Honorary Degree: Lynn Nottage
Playwright and screenwriter was the first woman in history to win two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. -
Distinguished Alumni Award: Denise Roberts Hurlin ’84
Dancer, educator, activist, and a founding member of Parsons Dance who also set David Parson’s work on the Purchase Dance Corps and Nederlands Dans Theater.
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Distinguished Alumni Award: Janette Yarwood ’96
Janette Yarwood, PhD ’96 (anthropology) currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of African Affairs at the Department of State in the Biden/Harris administration.
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Senior Speaker: Michelle Dieguez
This year’s senior speaker, Michelle Dieguez, majored in Literature with a minor in Theatre and Performance. -
National Anthem Singer: Samara McLendon
Samara McLendon is a Jazz Studies major in the Conservatory of Music.
Latest Update
As we draw nearer to commencement, we wanted to provide this latest update.
As you know, our top priority is the health and safety of our students, their families, and our campus community.
Unfortunately, due to ongoing safety concerns, and the lack of an event space that meets CDC capacity requirement guidelines, we are not able to produce the traditional in-person commencement ceremony.
However, the virtual commencement ceremony on May 21 at noon will be professionally produced along with a dedicated campus team committed to celebrating your achievement.
In addition to our Virtual Ceremony, we’re very excited to offer all our graduates a chance to mark the milestone in person on campus.
On May 19 or May 20 between 11:00am and 5:00pm, we invite graduates to “walk across” the Upper Lobby of The PAC and have their photos taken with President Milagros Peña. We are striving to create a festive setting for the occasion, with college banners as the backdrop and the opportunity to capture your achievement in a photograph and connect with classmates.
Students must schedule a time slot on May 19 or May 20 between 11:00am and 5:00pm. We will host twenty students per 15 minute time slot. Please book your appointment by Friday, May 7. This is an appointment and graduate only event, but will be livestreamed for families of participants to view. Proofs will be available 48-72 hours after the event. If you have ordered regalia, please wear it for the occasion. This special photo session will occur before the virtual commencement on May 21.
Students who are not on campus this semester are more than welcome to take part in this photo opportunity. However, for safety reasons, all students must have a negative test result within 72 hours or have been pool tested on campus on May 17.
We look forward to sharing our Virtual Commencement on May 21 at noon. You will be hearing from us to get photos from each of you to include in that ceremony. We encourage online watch parties among programs and cohorts, so we can gather together as a community to celebrate your special day.
Please note that all decisions are made in accordance with state guidelines, with guidance from SUNY and the Department of Health. If there are any changes to protocol, we will update students and parents as soon as possible.
We look forward to celebrating with you and your families virtually and welcoming our graduating students for this new in-person photo opportunity.