Important Information About Commencement Ceremonies

Important Information About Commencement Ceremonies 

Dear Penn State Smeal student:

In the past few days, your parent or guardian likely received a letter in which we expressed our congratulations on your forthcoming graduation and shared details regarding commencement on May 9, 2020.

While we look forward to the celebration of your academic achievement later this spring, we write to inform you that the letter your parents or guardian received recently was mailed in error, prior to the many changes that have occurred in the past week relative to the coronavirus. In fact, the University has temporarily paused any commencement planning and — at the time of this writing — is evaluating next steps in light of the rapidly evolving pandemic. You may also have seen the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [www.cdc.gov] directive to cancel large events for, at minimum, the next eight weeks. 

Be assured that the University will communicate the plans for spring commencement as soon as a final decision is made. Please keep an eye on news.psu.edu for the latest status of these events and others sponsored by the University. In the meantime, please refrain from making travel arrangements, hotel accommodations or related plans for the May 9, 2020 events that we communicated earlier.

We sincerely apologize for this error and deeply regret any inconvenience that it may have caused you and members of your family.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Charles H. Whiteman
John and Becky Surma Dean of Smeal

Felisa P. Higgins                                                                                                           
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education