Your guide to virtual fall commencement 2020

Michigan State University will hold a virtual commencement celebration on Dec. 18 for all graduate students and Dec. 19 for all undergraduate students earning degrees at the end of the 2020 fall semester. The virtual event does not replace an in-person ceremony and members of the class of 2020 will be invited to participate in a future in-person commencement.

Graduate names will be scrolled on the screens at the end of their ceremonies.  

Todd Penegor, president and CEO of The Wendy’s Co., will be keynote speaker for the master’s degree ceremony, and Marta Tienda, professor of sociology and public affairs and the Maurice P. During professor in demographic studies at Princeton University, will address doctoral degree recipients.

Former MSU men’s basketball star and current member of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, Draymond Green, will address baccalaureate degree recipients.

Details about each commencement ceremony are as follows:

When: 

• Master’s degrees: 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 18, 2020
• Doctoral degrees: 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18, 2020
• Baccalaureate degrees: 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020

Where:

The virtual ceremony will be held via the MSU Commencement livestream.

Who:

Members of the 2020 class, friends, family, faculty, staff, alumni and Spartans everywhere are encouraged to watch via computer, tablet or smartphone

To prepare for full participation in the ceremony here are some helpful tips:

• Get dressed in your regalia — cap, gown, robe, tassel. If you don’t have official gear, wear whatever hat you want to toss or whatever tassel you want to move.
• If you haven’t already, learn the words to Victory for MSU and MSU Shadows.
• Virtually gather all the important people in your life and make sure they all know how to join in the virtual fun.

Learn more about the fall 2020 commencement speakers.