SUNY New Paltz ready for first-ever virtual Commencement ceremony

May 15, 2020 Andrew Bruso

SUNY New Paltz will hold a virtual, pre-recorded Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 22, in recognition of the hard work, dedication and accomplishments of undergraduate and graduate students who have completed their degrees in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Community members are welcome to join students, faculty, staff, alumni and proud family members watching the broadcast, links to which will be published at https://newpaltz.edu/commencement/ on May 22 at 1 p.m. and will remain available for viewing for one year.

The College will also host a Facebook watch party for both the undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies, beginning at 1 p.m. on the SUNY New Paltz Facebook page.

This year, nearly 2,100 undergraduate and more than 600 graduate degrees will be conferred, as the College recognizes May and August 2020 candidates, and students who completed their degrees in January 2020, August 2019 and December 2019.

“We recognize and commend our graduates who have worked diligently to overcome the direct and indirect impact of the coronavirus and continued to be productive during these extraordinary times,” said President Donald P. Christian. “We know that students were especially saddened to have their final semester ended so abruptly, and we applaud their ability to overcome the adversity that coronavirus has caused in their educational and personal lives. Our students’ willingness and success in adapting quickly to a changing environment will serve them well in their lives and livelihoods.”

The event will include pre-recorded Commencement speeches, broadcast in accessible video formats, and a brief greeting from Ed Carroll ’85 (Communication & Media), the Chief Operating Officer of AMC Networks, a distinguished SUNY New Paltz alumnus and SUNY New Paltz Foundation Board Director.

The pre-recorded ceremony will also include remarks from:

SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian
SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson
United States Senator Chuck Schumer
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Lyman (speaking at the Graduate Commencement ceremony)
2020 Valedictorian Majessa Pedrozo ’19 (Communication Disorders) (speaking at the Undergraduate Ceremony)
President of First World Graduation Kiana Graham ’20 (International Relations) (speaking at the Undergraduate Ceremony)

Following these remarks will be a reading of the names of the graduates and candidates, including a presentation of custom slides featuring graduate portraits, quotes and personal recognitions shared by graduates.

Among the honored students will be 2020 Valedictorian Majessa Pedrozo ’19, and 2020 Salutatorian Megan Vaughn ’20 (Early Childhood & Childhood Education: Mathematics).

Additionally, in accordance with SUNY New Paltz Commencement tradition, the virtual event will include renditions of the National Anthem and the alma mater, “In a Valley Fair,” by student vocal performers.

As previously announced, the virtual Commencement event on May 22, 2020, does not replace an in-person Commencement celebration for our August 2019, December 2019 and January 2020 graduates, and May 2020 and August 2020 candidates. An in-person ceremony for the Class of 2020 is planned for May 2021.

The College is organizing this pre-recorded event as a way for the campus community to celebrate and reflect on the end of the 2019-20 academic year, even as we continue to live, work, teach and learn in accordance with social distancing guidelines.

Visit www.newpaltz.edu/commencement/ for more information.