YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above originally aired on March 11
Youngstown State University is planning what is sure to be a weekend to remember, announcing Wednesday that all graduating seniors from 2020 and spring 2021 will be welcomed to campus for in-person commencement ceremonies.
The school cited Gov. Mike DeWine's green light to hold such events as COVID-19 cases begin to decline and vaccinations continue to ramp up. As such, all graduates from the spring, summer, and fall of 2020 will be able to walk across the stage at Stambaugh Stadium on May 7 starting at 6 p.m., followed by the class of 2021 at the same location on May 8. Graduation times for the latter ceremony are as follows:
- 9 a.m. - Cliffe College of Creative Arts, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Williamson College of Business Administration
- 3 p.m. - Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education, Bitonte College of Health and Human Services
"You have shown great perseverance in the face of tremendous challenges over the course of the past several months," YSU President Jim Tressel said in a statement to the graduates. "Your determination is an inspiration to us all, and we are excited to be able to get together in-person to recognize your accomplishments."
While the ceremony will be free and open to all family and friends, masks and social distancing will be required. Students wishing to attend must RSVP online (2020 and 2021 links here).
The university says caps and gowns will be mailed out soon. Graduates must report to the north end of the stadium one hour prior to the start of the ceremony, and free parking is available.
More local commencements:
- Kent State to hold in-person commencement for spring 2021 graduating class
- Ohio State plans to hold 2021 spring commencement in-person at Ohio Stadium
- University of Akron announces in-person commencement plans for spring
- Cleveland State University to hold in-person commencement at Progressive Field on May 15
- Ohio University announces plans to move forward with in-person spring commencement, will host multiple ceremonies over a period of several days