UAlbany Celebrates Unique Commencement with Classes of 2020 & 2021

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 25, 2021) – UAlbany’s new graduates have officially joined the ranks of 190,000 proud alumni worldwide after a week-long series of festivities to celebrate both the classes of 2020 and 2021.

The Great Dane Graduation Experience was a unique approach to commencement, with graduates moving through the concourse at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium in regalia at assigned times with up to four guests. It culminated with a formal crossing of the stage, at which time grads’ names were announced.

With no more than 200 total people inside the stadium at one time, the Great Dane Graduation Experience stretched over seven days from Saturday, May 15, to Friday, May 21.

The in-person events were topped off by a virtual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 20, which served as the official degree conferral for Class of 2021 graduates and their families. It includes messages from UAlbany leadership, alumni and a collective lighting of the University Torch.  

All ceremonies were live streamed and recorded.

“Graduates, let me tell you, after 14 months of being patient, suffering disappointments and losses, you earned this time of joy, pride and excitement about the future,” said President Havidán Rodríguez, while addressing new graduates live during the virtual ceremony.

“No matter where that next chapter leads you, you have opportunities to think, to dream, and to act across cultural and national or global boundaries… I can tell you from my personal experience that you will be amazed at what you can achieve. After this year and all your hard work, you can certainly say to anyone that doubts you, ‘Sí, se puede,’ yes, we can."

More than 3,050 undergraduates from the Class of 2021 received degrees, including summer, fall and winter semester recipients. Another 1,300 students received master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and graduate certificates, including summer, fall and winter semester recipients.

Last spring, more than 5,000 students from the Class of 2020 were honored during the virtual OneUAlbany Graduation Celebration. They were invited back to participate in this year’s in-person events.