Smeal Update: June 27, 2020

Smeal hosts virtual welcome for Class of 2024

• In an effort to inform and retain admitted students in Penn State Smeal’s Class of 2024, the college has produced “A Virtual Smeal Welcome,” which is available online.” The program featured a panel of Penn State Smeal leaders and alumni who shared perspectives and answered questions about the Smeal community, the student and academic experience, and the alumni network

Summer 2020 commencement to be held via virtual ceremony

• Penn State will once again livestream a virtual commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Aug. 15, to honor the 2020 class of summer graduates. When it is safe for large gatherings to occur again, graduates and their families will be invited back for in-person celebrations.

Gartner ranks Smeal graduate education No. 1 again

• Gartner Inc., has once again ranked Smeal as No. 1 in North American graduate supply chain programs in a recent report. This is the sixth time since 2008 that Smeal has earned the top spot. Smeal was ranked No. 3 in undergraduate supply chain education.

Next Smeal Community Zoom Session planned

• As a reminder, the next Smeal Community Zoom Session has been planned for 1 – 1:50 p.m. Monday. If you are able to attend, connect via this link.

Updates from Penn State

• The University announced its plans to resume on-campus work and learning in the Fall 2020 semester. The official “Back to State” plans call for a flexible, adaptable schedule, with campus-based instruction Aug. 24 through Nov. 20. The remainder of the semester — including final examinations — will be administered online beginning Nov. 30 (after Thanksgiving break). Read the full announcement here.
• In conjunction with the Fall 2020 announcement, Penn State launched a webpage featuring answers to a new, extensive list of FAQs for University faculty, students, and staff. 
• The University will offer a robust portfolio of remote learning options and experiences through Penn State Start at Home and Continue at Home, so students who must remain home this fall can begin or continue to make progress toward their degrees. More details will be announced at keeplearning.psu.edu.
• New “Keep Teaching” and “Keep Learning” websites provide resources for faculty and students to prepare for Fall 2020.
• Penn State faculty and the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence are creating a video series focused on best practices for remote instruction.
• Applications for the second round of CARES Act student emergency grants are now being accepted.
• Due to pandemic-related restrictions, incoming Penn State students are experiencing orientation virtually this summer.
• Virtual office hours with Penn State Student Affairs resumed June 18. Students can connect via Zoom to speak with a Student Affairs director on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Penn State announced that Spring 2020 and future graduates can purchase a Certified Electronic Diploma, or CeDiploma, in addition to receiving a traditional paper diploma issued after degree conferral.