SUNY Purchase Graduation Will Blend Virtual And In-Person

PURCHASE, NY — Graduation ceremonies at SUNY Purchase College will once again be live-streamed rather than in-person, but the graduates will have a chance to take part in a commencement walk and pose for photographs with the school president prior to the virtual event.

Purchase College will air its commencement ceremony on May 21 at noon on the school’s website. While the ceremony itself will not take place in-person, students will get an opportunity to walk on stage on May 19 and 20. The socially distanced two-day in-person walks will afford graduates an opportunity to wear their gowns and get a personal congratulations from school president Milagros Peña.

“While we cannot be together to mark this milestone, there is much to celebrate. I am incredibly proud of the graduating class of 2021,” Purchase College President Peña said in a statement announcing the hybrid commencement plan. “These students have made significant academic and artistic achievements throughout their careers at Purchase. I look forward to congratulating our graduates and welcoming them back on campus as alumni as soon as it is safe to do so.”

New York State has given the go ahead for limited commencement ceremonies, but school officials said the size of the Purchase ceremony and limited space at the venue made hosting a virtual ceremony the prudent decision. According to the school, 900 graduates will be taking part in the virtual and in-person ceremonies.

Michelle Dieguez will give a commencement speech on behalf of her class. Dieguez is a graduating literature major with a minor in theatre.

The live-streamed commencement will include the presentation of an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree to playwright Lynn Nottage. The college will also present two President’s Awards for Distinguished Alumni to Denise Roberts Hurlin, a dancer, educator and activist who founded the organization Dancers Responding to AIDS, and Dr. Janette Yarwood, the senior advisor to the Assistant Secretary of African Affairs at the Department of State.