Class Of 2020 Angry, Frustrated With Penn State’s Planned Virtual Commencement

Matt Sniegowski | Onward State

Penn State announced Monday that it would honor the Class of 2020 with a virtual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9 in place of traditional pomp and circumstance.

In an email to seniors, President Eric Barron also stated the university was “exploring options” for an in-person celebration later down the line, but details regarding such an event remain to be seen.

Naturally, seniors took to Twitter shortly after the announcement to vent their feelings, question Penn State’s choice, and voice their collective frustrations. Some even called on the university to “do better” to honor its graduates, who already lost their final semester to the coronavirus pandemic.

https://twitter.com/AvaMarieRash/status/1247260418285895682

Virtual Graduation? What the hell @penn_state I worked too damn hard for four years for that. I demand a tuition reimbursement.
— Michael Yohn (@JMYohn) April 6, 2020

https://twitter.com/akaCole_/status/1247258188535259136

Penn state already took a ton of money from us over the last 4 years… least they can do is push back graduation…
— Joey ODwyer (@joey_odwyer) April 6, 2020

This is for Penn State you big fat white nasty smellin fat bitch why you took me off the mothafuckin schedule wit cho triflin dirty white racist ass big fat bitch oompa loompa body ass bitch I’m comin up there and I’m gon beat the fuck outta you bitch
— sam (@samcrystallum) April 6, 2020

4 years of hard work all for a virtual graduation. Insane.

Hope'd Penn State would've come up with something better than this. Incredibly disappointed.
— Meghan Drakas (@MeghanABC17News) April 6, 2020

I’m not sure I would use the term “honored” but…
— Maggie (@meburns1213) April 6, 2020

https://twitter.com/ninaa_rossss/status/1247262512854102016

https://twitter.com/rachelanita12/status/1247264312235786241

ain’t no fucking way man
— Connor Fabian (@cfabian12345678) April 6, 2020

https://twitter.com/iconickk_/status/1247262053070450688

https://twitter.com/rachelanita12/status/1247264664112828416

https://twitter.com/Shakenswift/status/1247269602670886913

ain’t no fucking way man
— Connor Fabian (@cfabian12345678) April 6, 2020

https://twitter.com/queeenjayyy_/status/1247265354302271492

I would much rather have had an in-person commencement pushed back several weeks/months, but I understand the reasoning.

Still, it’s disappointing. https://t.co/iL4p9RBEe0
— Matt Hoenig (@MattHoenigWMUR) April 6, 2020

https://twitter.com/kim__macdonald/status/1247266703572115458

https://twitter.com/AdamMichalesko/status/1247267274697986050

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About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email ([email protected]) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

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Class Of 2020 Angry, Frustrated With Penn State’s Planned Virtual Commencement

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Matt DiSanto

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