1. Home
a large crowd of graduating students; only the tops of their mortarboards are visible

Spring 2020 Commencement and Celebration

Seniors, congratulations on completing your degree program at The Pennsylvania State University! You can be proud of this significant academic achievement, just as we are proud of you. Join us in acknowledging and celebrating the Class of 2020!
Join us in acknowledging and celebrating the Class of 2020!

Seniors, congratulations on completing your degree program at The Pennsylvania State University! You can be proud of this significant academic achievement, just as we are proud of you.

Commencement

button that goes to Penn State Wilkes-Barre Marching Orders web page

In response to the growing coronavirus pandemic, orders from the state government and recommendations from global public health organizations, Penn State will hold its spring 2020 commencement ceremony via livestream at spring2020.commencement.psu.edu on May 9 at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony is expected to last approximately 40 minutes. Be sure to share this link with family and friends so they can join you!

The program will include:

  • The National Anthem, sung by Amina Faye ’20
  • Special Remarks, by President Eric Barron
  • Remarks and Introductions, by Provost Nick Jones
  • Authorization to Confer Degrees, by Board of Trustees Chair Mark Dambly
  • Recognition of Meritorious Achievement, by Penn State Students
  • Conferral of Degrees, by Provost Jones and President Barron
  • Induction into the Alumni Association, by Alumni Association President Randolph Houston
  • Special Thanks, by Penn State Students
  • The Penn State Alma Mater, Penn State Blue Band and Students

For more information about commencement, visit the University Park Commencement web page.

You are invited to the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduate Celebration on Saturday, May 9th at 3:15 pm, on Zoom (after graduation ceremony live-streamed from University Park)

Graduate Celebration

Following the University virtual commencement ceremony, we invite all fall 2019, spring 2020, and summer 2020 graduates, as well as your family and supporters, to join Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s virtual Graduate Celebration in acknowledgement of your success. The Celebration will include messages from the chancellor, the associate chief academic officer, the class valedictorian, the advisory board chair, and the president of the Penn State Wilkes‑Barre Alumni Society, and will wrap up with virtual “after parties” with faculty and staff. Please join us on Zoom!

After Parties include:

  • Business, host Terry Clemente
  • Murphy Center, host Patty Staskiel
  • Administration of Justice, host Jeremy Olson
  • Engineering, hosts Tim Sichler and Dimitrios Bolkas
  • Information Sciences and Technology, host Frouke de Quillettes
  • English/Corporate Communication/Letters, Arts and Sciences/Rehabilitation and Human Services, host Melisa Littleton

See Zoom connect information for the After Parties. If you have difficulty connecting via Zoom to the Celebration or to an After Party, call the Penn State Wilkes‑Barre IT Help Desk at 570-675-9140; staff will be standing by!

Frequently Asked Questions about Graduation

Q. How would I obtain my cords for Academic Distinction?

A. A student earning a cord for academic distinction (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) as a Spring 2020 graduate will receive the cord in the mail at their permanent address once they have been awarded their degree. (Please note, cords will not be sent in time for the May 9 virtual commencement; however, we expect to be able to send them in mid-June once degrees are conferred.)

Q. When can I expect my degree to be awarded on my academic record if I have completed all requirements in Spring 2020?

A. Students will be officially awarded the degree on their academic record (transcript) on or about June 12.

Q. Will my diploma be mailed to me and when can I expect it?

A. Yes, diplomas will be mailed to your permanent address on file. Diplomas will be mailed the week of June 29.