Members of the class of 2020 at their commencement celebration

January 26, 2022

Pomp & Circumstance

Fellow graduates

Members of the class of 2020 gather to celebrate their commencement — There were plenty of smiles beneath the masks as the Class of 2020 got its chance to celebrate.
*Photographs by Jamie Betts*

The Class of 2020 finally got its due with an untraditional September celebration. COVID-19 safety measures prevented traditional commencement exercises in May 2020. More than 400 members of the class made it back to campus for the celebration.

Although their diplomas were already in hand, they finally got the chance to cross the stage in full regalia as their names were called and family and friends cheered. The event also included remarks from Tim Hightower, ’08, a Spider football standout and former NFL player, and classmate Lina Tori Jan, ’20.

“I had mentally prepared myself for the possibility that we would never have a graduation,” Natalie Szumel, ’20, told The Collegian. “But I am very happy that they did end up doing something for us.”