UAlbany Announces In-Person, Virtual Commencements for Spring 2021
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 13, 2021) – Following a year of unprecedented change, the University at Albany will bring back some long-awaited familiarity next month when celebrating with graduates and their families from the Classes of 2020 and 2021.
The University is planning a series of in-person commencement activities at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium between May 15-21, which, along with a virtual ceremony on May 20, will offer an innovative and safe way to honor the newest Great Dane alumni for their academic achievements, perseverance and hard work.
“As the excitement continues to build toward celebrating the Class of 2021 for their accomplishments, we are very pleased to offer them both an in-person and online graduation experience next month, and invite the Class of 2020 back for their own in-person celebration,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Carol Kim. “Our Commencement planning team has worked diligently to create safe, meaningful celebrations that are befitting to our graduates’ accomplishments.”
The Great Dane Graduation Experience
Since shifting to a fully virtual commencement format in Spring 2020 due to the pandemic, the Office of University Events has been hard at work brainstorming ideas for in-person scenarios that would safely meet NYS health and safety guidelines.
From these discussions, the “Great Dane Graduation Experience” was born. It’s a new approach to UAlbany’s traditional ceremony. Rather than assigned seats and speeches, it will be a "moving commencement" where graduates walk through the Tom & Mary Casey Stadium concourse in regalia at assigned times with up to four guests and the UAlbany campus community cheering them on. It culminates with a formal crossing of the stage, at which time grads’ names will be announced. The entire experience will be between 20 and 30 minutes.
Attendees must follow all COVID-19 safety protocols including: no more than 200 total people inside the stadium at one time (including faculty and staff volunteers), a 12-foot physical distancing guideline and required mask wearing. The stage crossing will also be live-streamed for viewing by family and friends who are not present.
Timeslots are available now to both the Class of 2020 and 2021. View the full schedule.
“Year after year, our feedback consistently shows that the most important part of commencement for students is being able to cross the stage and have their name read in front of family and friends,” said Christy Doyle, director of University Events. “Although we had to move very quickly — considering in-person activities wasn’t an option until mid-February – we kept that at the forefront of our planning, along with our desire to create an engaging and meaningful, yet safe and efficient experience.”
“We’re proud of what we’ve built in a very short period of time and look forward to offering our new graduates both in-person and virtual experiences that properly mark this significant moment in their lives.”
Multiple Ways to Celebrate
The in-person Great Dane Graduation Experience will be followed by a virtual commencement ceremony, which serves as the official conferral for all Class of 2021 graduates and their families. This includes those who do not wish to or cannot participate in the in-person events.
The virtual ceremony will last between 30 and 45 minutes and include remarks from UAlbany leadership, students and alumni, as well as other prominent guests. It will be live-streamed and available for viewing on the UAlbany YouTube page following the ceremonies.
All decisions and plans remain contingent on the health and safety of the campus community as the priority and in accordance with state guidelines.
For details and updates, visit the Commencement website.