Dear Class of 2020 Graduates,
Last year I promised we would hold a commencement celebration for the Class of 2020 as soon as it was safe and feasible to do so. I am so pleased to inform you today that the University is holding Saturday, October 2, 2021 for a University-wide commencement ceremony on the River Campus for all students from all schools who had degrees conferred in 2020.
The Class of 2020 University Commencement Ceremony will be part of “Meliora 2021,” a fun and celebratory October 1–2 weekend designed especially for Class of 2020 alumni, parents and families, and milestone reunion classes whose year of graduation ends in 0, 1, 5, or 6. This includes our most recent graduates in the Class of 2021 who will be celebrating their first reunion this fall.
Planning for the weekend is currently underway and additional details are forthcoming. To assist our efforts, please be sure to complete a University survey that will be emailed to you this week.
I suspect many of your social calendars are filling up quickly. I sincerely hope you and your families will consider returning to Rochester in October to mark this milestone moment and all of your hard work as students. For those unable to travel back to campus, the commencement ceremony and other select events will be available via livestream. Because diplomas have already been distributed, there will not be any diploma ceremonies.
We anticipate registration for the weekend will open in August. Please note that “Meliora 2021” will be subject to all campus coronavirus safety guidelines for your continued good health and that of our campus. Our traditional Meliora Weekend will fully return in 2022 when this beloved campus tradition can once again be open to all alumni and friends.
I look forward to welcoming you and your families back home to Rochester. It will be so good to have you here.
Sincerely,
Sarah C. Mangelsdorf
President
G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor