Cal U. holds commencement ceremonies
Zach Frailey/For the Observer-Reporter
Taia Anderson, a social work major from Connellsville, shows off her matching cap and mask outside Cal U.’s Convocation Center last May. Cal U., as well as its sister campuses of Clarion and Edinboro, no longer require the use of masks inside campus buildings as of March 2.
Zach Frailey/For the Observer-Reporter
Cal U. secondary education majors gather for a group selfie prior to the university’s 192nd undergraduate commencement ceremony.
Zach Frailey/For the Observer-Reporter
Sarah McGowan, a professional studies in education major from Belle Vernon, receives her diploma from Cal U. interim President Robert Thorn during the university’s 192nd commencement ceremony.
Zach Frailey/For the Observer-Reporter
Bailey Accettulla, a criminal justice major from Jeanette, is handed her diploma by Cal U. interim President Robert Thorn during the university’s 192nd commencement ceremony.
California University of Pennsylvania held modified, in-person commencement ceremonies May 7 and 8 at the Convocation Center on campus.
A ceremony for master’s degree and doctoral degree candidates was held last Friday. Separate ceremonies were held May 8 for those earning associate or bachelor’s degrees from the College of Education and Liberal Arts and the Eberly College of Science and Technology.
Each graduate was permitted to bring two guests. Social distancing and masks were required for graduates, their families and friends.
Interim University President Robert Thorn conferred more than 1,000 degrees at the ceremonies, although not all graduates chose to attend.
Commencement speaker James T. Davis, a senior partner at the Davis & Davis law firm of Uniontown, chair of Cal U.’s Council of Trustees and a 1973 alumnus of the university, addressed the graduates.
“We gather to celebrate all that you, our graduates, have worked so hard to accomplish,” Thorn said. “During the past 14 months, in particular, you demonstrated perseverance in the face of unprecedented challenges. You weathered a year that was often unpredictable. You overcame challenges none of us had ever imagined.
“I commend each of you,” he added, “for staying true to your goals and not faltering when faced with adversity.”
Thorn congratulated each graduate on their “academic success” and reminded them of their status as “tomorrow’s leaders.”
“You have been blessed with a wonderful education and you are more than capable of moving your communities and this nation forward,” he said.