Class of 2020 graduates will have their opportunity for honor and celebration at Golden 1 Center, though that Commencement has been by necessity moved to May 2021. (Sacramento State/Andrea Price)

By Dixie Reid

Commencement for Sacramento State’s Class of 2020, though delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually will be a reality. In the meantime, celebration of the achievements of this year’s graduates also will be a virtual reality.

University President Robert S. Nelsen is inviting the class of 2020 to walk with next year’s degree candidates during expanded ceremonies at Golden 1 Center scheduled for May 20-23, 2021. The University is planning for the four-day event to accommodate an unprecedented number of graduates and guests representing the two classes.

To provide more immediate recognition for this year’s grads, the University also will offer a virtual graduation celebration, an online event not meant as a replacement for their Commencement, but rather an additional opportunity to mark their achievement.

Grads will have the opportunity to express their pride and celebrate their achievements virtually and during Commencement ceremonies in 2021. (Sacramento State/Erica Perez)

Nelsen on Thursday announced the expanded 2021 Commencement ceremonies as well as the Class of 2020 virtual celebration, which begins Saturday, June 6.

The University in mid-March decided to postpone ceremonies for this year’s grads, with Nelsen promising to find another time for that Commencement. He and other Sac State administrators considered holding ceremonies at the University sometime this summer, but continued requirements for social distancing caused cancellation of all on-campus events through August.

Planners then turned to the fall calendar, there finding possible venues such as Golden 1 Center and Hornet Stadium to be booked. That’s when the decision was made to hold a virtual graduation celebration in June and invite graduates to walk in May 2021.

“The Class of 2020 deserves its chance to walk across the stage at Golden 1 Center,” Nelsen said. “Their families deserve the opportunity to watch them and to celebrate with them – and they will have their turn.

“Unfortunately, with the uncertainty around when it will be safe to again hold large gatherings, it’s clear that the Class of 2020 will not get its chance for quite a while. The virtual graduation celebration does not replace Commencement. We simply do not want the moment to pass without Sac State marking the occasion.”

The virtual celebration is optional, Nelsen said, and serves as a placeholder until May 2021, when family, friends, and the campus community can come together to celebrate in person.

Details about the June 6 virtual graduation celebration can be found on the University’s Commencement page.

A record 9,849 students, including pending summer graduates and credential candidates, were eligible to walk during the now-rescheduled 2020 Commencement ceremonies.

In his message this week to the campus community, Nelsen said:

“I understand that walking next year and celebrating virtually this year is not what any of us wants. … But we must stay safe, and we must keep our physical distance from one another for as long as it takes for the COVID-19 danger to pass.

“We are all incredibly proud of our graduates and the hard work that every student is doing to finish this semester successfully. … Until we are able to be together again, stay safe and be well.”