Class of 2020 returns for a Commencement ceremony two years in the making
Two years after receiving their diplomas in the mail following a semester of remote learning and a livestreamed conferral ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Notre Dame class of 2020 and their guests will return to campus for a University Commencement Ceremony in Notre Dame Stadium on Sunday (May 29).
Of the 2,113 undergraduates from the class, more than 1,600 are expected for this weekend’s events, along with 323 graduate students. Nearly 7,400 guests are expected to accompany the graduates.
Charles and Jill Fischer Provost Emeritus Thomas G. Burish, who retired in July 2020 after 15 years of service as the University’s chief academic officer, will return as the ceremony emcee. Class valedictorian Brady Stiller will deliver a valedictory address, and although class salutatorian Love Osunnuga is unable to attend, the class’s student body president, Elizabeth Boyle, will offer a welcome.
John F. Crowley, a Notre Dame alumnus and parent whose pursuit of a cure for the rare disease that afflicts two of his children was portrayed in the major motion picture “Extraordinary Measures,” will be the principal speaker and receive an honorary degree.
A degree conferral reenactment will take place during the ceremony, and individual colleges and schools will host various celebrations and ceremonies throughout the weekend.
Commencement Mass, which is typically held on Saturday before the main ceremony, will be celebrated in the stadium immediately prior to the graduation ceremony. Graduates will process into the stadium at 9 a.m. Mass is expected to begin at approximately 9:30 a.m. and the ceremony will follow, beginning at approximately 10:45 a.m. All attendees must have a ticket for admission.
The Commencement Mass and University Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed. A complete schedule of events is available online, and senior stories and other features are here.
Many common items will not be allowed in the stadium during Commencement. Visit the Commencement website for a complete list of prohibited items. In the event of severe weather, ceremonies will be moved indoors to the Joyce Center. Should weather conditions necessitate a move indoors, the University will communicate changes online and via ND Alert messages, social media and local news outlets.
Latest Commencement
- Medicinal chemist Sabine Hadida to deliver Graduate School Commencement addressThe University of Notre Dame Graduate School will hold its annual commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. May 18 (Saturday) at Notre Dame Stadium. Sabine Hadida, a renowned medicinal chemist, will deliver the keynote address. University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will confer the various master’s and doctoral degrees.
- Distinguished leaders to receive Notre Dame honorary degrees, Laetare MedalThe University of Notre Dame will confer honorary degrees on four distinguished leaders in business, science, the Catholic Church and the arts at its 179th University Commencement Ceremony on May 19. University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will deliver the Commencement address.
- University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., to serve as 2024 Commencement principal speakerPresident Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will be the principal speaker at the…
- Carolyn Woo to speak at ACE CommencementCarolyn Woo, the retired CEO of Catholic Relief Services and former dean of the Mendoza College of Business, will serve as the keynote speaker at 2023 Commencement Ceremony of the Alliance for Catholic Education on Saturday (July 15).
- Graduate School degree recipients praised for ‘grit,’ reminded ‘your research matters’John McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost at the University of Notre Dame, delivered the keynote address during the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony on Saturday (May 20) at Notre Dame Stadium, reminding members of the class of 2023 of the Graduate School’s motto: “Your research matters.”
- Up, up and awayInspired by the unknown, University of Notre Dame Senior Nelson Badillo Perez will pursue a doctorate in materials science and mechanical engineering at Harvard next year as a NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Fellow.