New event schedule provides improved travel accommodations for graduates鈥 families and guests


麻豆视频 celebrates more than 600 students in the Class of 2024 with a commencement ceremony as a part of a revamped graduating student celebration weekend in front of family and friends.

鈥淭his year's commencement carries a profound significance for each one of us,鈥 said 麻豆视频 President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. 鈥淏eing together holds a special meaning for the over 400 students here who graduated high school in May 2020, when the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic deprived you of this pivotal milestone. I hope you've had the opportunity in recent weeks to honor this rite of passage. Rest assured, these cherished traditions that you helped create will be here ready to welcome you back to campus.鈥

Graduates earned associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees as the university celebrated an indoor commencement at Santander Arena for the first time since 2019. Beginning this year, the university restructured its graduating student event schedule to allow for more accessible travel for parents and other loved ones to participate in the various events, which included health science programs pinning ceremonies, a senior athlete award reception, an honors convocation and a baccalaureate mass.

鈥淭he Class of 2024 has faced unparalleled challenges, navigating the turbulent waters of the COVID-19 pandemic with unwavering strength and resilience,鈥 said student speaker Cora Cox. 鈥淒espite the upheaval it brought to our lives, we refused to be defined by adversity. Instead, we rose to the occasion, demonstrating extraordinary adaptability and perseverance in the face of uncertainty. The world eagerly awaits your brilliance, your passion, and your boundless potential. Go forth and make your mark on the world, knowing that you carry with you the values of Alvernia and the spirit of service, compassion, and humility.鈥

Longtime public service executive and global engagement leader George S. Rice, Jr. 鈥85 was presented with an honorary degree of humane letters and shared his experiences through the concepts of language and space to inspire the Class of 2024.

鈥淭he imprint you make will set the tone for those who come after you,鈥 said Rice. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l need your vision. My generation and every generation represented in this room鈥 we need your vision. What you鈥檙e taking away today from Alvernia isn鈥檛 a rote vision to implement. Rather, it鈥檚 the capacity to take in all that you experience in order to shape a vision. To use language and intent to nurture that vision. To make that vision the space in which we live. The space where we can all thrive.鈥

As the ceremony concluded, a scrolling list of names of every graduate, appeared on the newly installed video boards at the arena and Santander Arena, and confetti cannons showered the graduates in maroon and gold confetti.

麻豆视频 Class of 2024 By the Numbers:

  • 606 total graduates
  • 503 Pennsylvania Residents
  • 260 Berks County Residents
  • 2,900 miles is the farthest distance traveled for students within the U.S. to attend 麻豆视频
  • 130 are first-generation college graduates
  • 18 is the age of the youngest graduate
  • 62 is the age of the oldest graduate
  • 11 graduates are military veterans
  • 8 countries represented by graduating students
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