Binghamton University to celebrate Class of 2020 with in-person ceremony

Returning to campus over a year after graduating to attend an in-person Commencement ceremony was an easy decision for Erin Dyer ‘20.

“I want to be able to celebrate my achievements and get a real ceremony — just to get that chance to actually have a proper ceremony,” said Dyer, who double-majored in cinema and English literature and now works as a game capture specialist for Fortnite trailers and a video editor for American Girl Dolls. “It’s such a good bookend and a true closure moment of college ending.”

Dyer and her classmates will get that moment when the University hosts an in-person Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020 at noon Sunday, Oct. 10, in the Events Center on campus.

The ceremony, which will include various speakers and live music from the University Wind Symphony, is being held alongside Homecoming Weekend festivities. More than 450 graduates who have earned bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees will attend, along with guests.

“We didn’t know if it would even be possible, so to be able to offer this in-person opportunity is gratifying,” said Sarah Koral, director of special events and Commencement. “Once we successfully pulled off the May 2021 Commencement (even though we had to do 28 ceremonies to make it possible) we knew we could do this ceremony, even while we still face the challenges posed by the pandemic.”

Koral and campus administrators thought Homecoming Weekend would be the perfect time to welcome back the Class of 2020.

“They can look forward to finally being able to have the University celebrate them and have their families be here in person to celebrate their accomplishments,” Koral said. “We hope it will provide them some closure to their education careers that they worked so hard for.”

While the rest of the world shut down and learned how to function during a pandemic, students such as Dyer felt it was hard to graduate without closure for their college experience.

“To suddenly have it really cut off so quickly and unexpectedly was pretty shocking,” Dyer said. “It took me a while to process and work through that and to eventually move forward.”

Emily (Fubei) Lubin ‘20, who majored in psychology, minored in graphic design and now works as an events planner for SaksWorks, expressed that a makeup Commencement was meaningful for many alumni.

“A lot of folks are first-generation, a lot of people are international, a lot of people are part of clubs and organizations, and they just want that ceremony,” Lubin said. “I definitely think it’s better late than never.”

Dyer, a first-generation college student, said Commencement is an important moment for her and her guests.

“I was pretty bummed when I realized I might not be able to get that chance, so I (thought), no matter how far away I am, I’m going back,” Dyer said.

Precautions will be taken to ensure everyone in attendance will be safe, such as a mask mandate regardless of vaccination status and a livestream, but otherwise the ceremony will be as close to normal as possible.

“Infection rates on campus are low at the moment,” Koral said. “Vaccine rates are climbing in New York … and we are able to limit the number of people in the Events Center to make the experience a safe yet celebratory one.”

The ceremony will include speeches by President Harvey Stenger, student speaker Gabriel Pinciotti and this year’s keynote speaker, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.

“The Class of 2020 deserves an in-person ceremony, on campus,” said Stenger. “The pandemic took that away from them, and we are excited to give them the opportunity to cross the stage and toss their caps.”

For Dyer, every students’ success deserves to be recognized, no matter how long it is after graduation.

“We all worked super hard too, and so many people dreamed to walk across the stage. I don’t think the Class of 2020 should miss out on that opportunity,” Dyer said.

Binghamton University’s Commencement Ceremony begins at noon Sunday, Oct. 10, in the Events Center. Tickets are required. For additional information, visit binghamton.edu/commencement.