St. Cloud State University’s Fall 2020 graduates gathered March 12 to celebrate accomplishments in a series Commencement ceremonies scheduled throughout the day.
Graduates in their caps and gowns streamed through the sidewalks of the spring break campus Friday as they arrived to celebrate their graduation in physically-distanced commencement ceremonies that included plenty of applause and cheers.
This December, 1,070 students from 29 countries and 18 U.S. states earned degrees from St. Cloud State. The degree earners include 51 associate degree students, 798 undergraduate students, 222 graduate students and 9 doctoral students.
Honors include 95 undergraduates earning Summa Cum Laude, 152 earning Magna Cum Laude and 151 earning Cum Laude cords.
The ceremonies were capped at 250 for each event with graduates limited to two guests each. With masks required, and physical distancing observed, the ceremony reflected the continued realities of graduating during COVID-19.
Many students invited family or friends as guests, with a few bringing special guests with them. One example was graduate Jenna Voigt, who is currently a reserve sergeant with the Becker Police Department. Voigt invited Becker Police Department’s Reserve Coordinator David Rydberg to the 11 a.m. ceremony to take part in her special day.
Each 45-minute commencement ceremony began with faculty leading in the graduates into the auditorium to the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance”.
Vice President Jason Woods delivered opening remarks and presented a video of messages submitted by the graduates.
“You, our proud Husky graduates, have achieved your mission and we are so proud of you. You made this most challenging mission possible,” Woods said. “Our goal as an institution was to help you accomplish your mission of graduating. Our greatest sense of accomplishment in completing this mission is seeing the bright smiles of our proud graduating Huskies with their loved ones today.”
Associate Provost for Faculty and Student Affairs La Vonne Cornell-Swanson welcomed the class. President Robbyn Wacker addressed the graduates at each of the day’s ceremonies.
“I applaud your grit and consistency. Just think about how much you have accomplished since that first day you arrived on campus,” Wacker said. “As we gather here today, I see a graduating class from different walks of life, identities and who semester after semester and day after day successfully faced the unknown and the unexpected. As your president, I want you to know I am truly impressed by your accomplishments.”
President Wacker spoke about how delighted she was to finally be able to celebrate with the graduates and their family and friends.
“Your influence and impact can make anything possible,” Wacker said. “It has been a privilege to have you as part of our St. Cloud State community, and your next mission is to go out and shake up the world. And remember that you’re always a Husky. Congratulations Class of 2020, Go Huskies and know that we’ll miss you.”
Even though students and faculty couldn’t celebrate in person in December due to a spike in COVID-19 cases and a tightening of restrictions in the state, many students also joined with their professors at the time to celebrate graduations virtually in a series of virtual and distance recognitions and the campus posted a virtual celebration of graduates.
Fall 2020 graduates are welcome to join in by posting their celebration photos and videos on social media and tagging @stcloudstate with the hashtag #SCSUGrad!
9 a.m. Ceremony – School of Health and Human Services
View the 9 a.m. Ceremony video
See photos from the 9 a.m. Ceremony
11 a.m. Ceremony – College of Liberal Arts/School of the Arts & School of Public Affairs
View the 11 a.m. Ceremony video
See photos from the 11 a.m. Ceremony
1 p.m. Ceremony – College of Science and Engineering/School of Computing, Engineering and Environment
View the 1 p.m. Ceremony video
See photos from the 1 p.m. Ceremony
3 p.m. Ceremony – Herberger Business School
View the 3 p.m. Ceremony video
See photos from the 3 p.m. Ceremony
5 p.m. Ceremony – School of Education
View the 5 p.m. Ceremony video
See photos from the 5 p.m. Ceremony
