185th Commencement

May 16-17, 2020

Updates on the status of Commencement Weekend 2020.

Update on Commencement Weekend 2020

Given the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, Gettysburg College has made the difficult decision to postpone our in-person Commencement Weekend scheduled for May 16–17. A Senior Celebration will be held for the Class of 2020 on the original Commencement weekend of May 16-17, and an on-campus Commencement celebration will be held on October 9-10.

The Commencement Committee will send additional detailed communications in the coming weeks to graduates and their families. In these uncertain times, we will adhere as always to Pennsylvania’s public health advisories to ensure the safety of all participating in and supporting events in the coming year. If we need to further postpone, a decision will be made by September 1.

Senior Celebration weekend

Departmental receptions

Some virtual departmental receptions will be taking place on Saturday, May 16, 2020 and Sunday, May 17, 2020. (please check back if your department is not here; we are in the process of adding more). Zoom information will be provided to students by the individual departments or you may reach out to the contact person (if listed) for Zoom information.

Saturday May 16

Department Time Description
Art and Art History 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Nicholas Miller.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Shelli Frey
Chemistry 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Tim Funk
History 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Mathematics 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Physics 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Sunderman Conservatory 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Sunday May 17

Department Time Description
Classics TBD
Management TBD
Sociology TBD

Senior Celebration

Sunday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m.

Schedule

  • Remarks by the 2020 Senior Class President Callie Fucarino ’20
  • A message from the President
  • A message from the Chaplain
  • Degree Conferral

Commencement Weekend

Friday October 9, 2020

Time Event Location
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Phi Beta Kappa Induction ceremony Mara Auditorium
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Catholic Mass Chapel
8:00 – 11:00 p.m. Senior Class Party CUB / Janet Morgan Riggs Student Center

Saturday October 10, 2020

Time Event Location
9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Baccalaureate North side of Penn Hall outside, rain or shine
9:45 a.m. Student line-up Bream Gym
11:00 – 1:30 p.m. Commencement ceremony North side of Penn Hall outside, rain or shine
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Departmental Receptions / Post-Commencement Reception Old Quad, Stine Lake, CUB Ballroom

Official email messages

Read official e-mail communications about the postponement of Commencement 2020.

Additional information