Commencement

At the beginning of the global pandemic a year ago, I promised the Class of 2020 that BSU would find a way to host an in-person commencement ceremony so that each student who chooses to would be able to walk across the commencement stage — a promise that I now extend to the Class of 2021. That walk across the stage symbolizes years of hard work, resilience and sacrifice as well as the possibility of a brighter future with a hard-earned college degree in hand. Many students carry the hopes and dreams of their families as they walk across the stage. Having spoken with so many students over these very difficult months, we know how important that walk is for our deserving graduates.

Today, we are fulfilling our promise to the Class of 2020 and to the Class of 2021 by announcing ceremonies that will accommodate every student who wishes to participate at commencement ceremonies in-person (and for those who want to participate remotely) as well as their families.

Since state public health guidelines currently limit indoor and outdoor gatherings — with one important exception — and with an eye toward the timing of the vaccination schedule for Massachusetts, we have chosen a place and a date to maximize the safety of our graduates and their families. We rejected the idea of having ceremonies here at BSU for an important reason: physical campus constraints and strict compliance with commencement guidelines recently issued by the state would frankly not allow any family members to attend based on our planning models. That was not okay with us or with you.

With nearly 5,000 2020 and 2021 graduates eligible to walk across the BSU commencement stage, and with thousands of family members eager to cheer them on, only one spectacular venue in Massachusetts would safely accommodate our large BSU family — Gillette Stadium.