Albright College will offer two in-person Commencement ceremonies at Santander Arena, on Sunday, May 30, 2021 for the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021. Ceremony differences will be announced in April, after a full count of participants is determined.
Albright’s Commencement plans are based on a careful recommendation by the college’s Pandemic Planning Task Force and endorsed by college leadership. Allowing for an in-person ceremony aligned with current state regulations, the new date alleviates concerns arising from students returning to hometowns around the country for a week and then travelling back to the Reading area to gather for an in-person ceremony.
“Members of Albright’s classes of 2020 and 2021 have sacrificed much during this pandemic,” said Albright President Jacquelyn S. Fetrow, Ph.D., ’82, in an email to the campus community. “Graduates have made it clear that they overwhelmingly wish to take part in an in-person Commencement ceremony, rather than a virtual ceremony, to celebrate their accomplishments. Albright’s ceremony plans are designed to best protect our entire community, including graduates, while meeting state guidelines.
Both ceremonies will be available via live-stream on Albright’s Commencement website. Although family members are currently unable to attend the event, wider distribution of COVID-19 vaccines may help to ease state occupancy restrictions before May 30, allowing some family members to attend the ceremony. Albright’s Commencement ceremony plans will be adjusted in accordance with changing state guidelines and CDC recommendations.
Social distancing and proper mask wearing is mandatory during all Albright events.
“2020 has absolutely been a year that we will never forget,” said Fetrow. “We understand that many of the members of the class of 2020 didn’t have time to say goodbye or to celebrate their graduation together, in-person. And as the pandemic dragged on, the class of 2021’s entire senior year has been filled with uncertainty. We hope that anticipation of an opportunity to celebrate safely together can help to ease some frustrations.”
