The Kent State University alumni family will grow by nearly 5,300 new graduates as the university holds its spring commencement. The accomplishments of the Spring Class of 2020 will be recognized with a virtual commencement recognition ceremony on Saturday, May 9, at 11 a.m. EDT, in accordance with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s order to prohibit large gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kent State students, faculty, staff, parents and friends are invited to tune into the virtual commencement at www.kent.edu/commencement. On the site, there will be a commencement ceremony for each college and each campus of Kent State – a total of 17 different ceremonies. Kent State’s College of Podiatric Medicine will have its own virtual recognition ceremony on May 15.
In total, 5,292 degrees will be conferred this spring, consisting of 924 associate degrees, 3,407 bachelor’s degrees, 798 master’s degrees, 156 doctoral degrees and seven educational specialist degrees.
More than 3,600 of the graduating students have confirmed their participation in the May 9 virtual commencement. These students will receive a commencement package so that they are ready to go on commencement day. The commencement package includes a copy of the commencement program, mortar board, tassel, alumni pin, diploma cover, honors cords for eligible graduates and hoods for doctoral graduates.
Commencement packages have been sent to graduating students near and far, including those in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida and Washington.
During the virtual commencement, graduating students will hear from Kent State President Todd Diacon, Interim Senior Vice President and Provost Melody Tankersley, and college and campus deans. Graduating students will also receive individual name recognition and participate in the conferral of degrees and tassel turning ceremony.
The virtual commencement does not replace the in-person commencement ceremony. All students who graduate this spring will be invited back to campus for commencement when it is deemed safe to do so.
For more information and to watch the virtual commencement, visit www.kent.edu/commencement.
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Photo Caption:
A new graduate of Kent State University triumphantly raises his diploma during the One University Commencement last year.
Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595