Two groups of Fresno Pacific University graduates and their friends and families will celebrate commencement together Saturday, December 12, 2020, in a combined spring-fall 2020 ceremony.
FPU’s May 9 commencement was postponed, along with most other spring events, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also pushed all instruction online and limited access to all campuses. Since the university hosts two ceremonies a year, one each for spring and fall graduates, leaders decided to combine the two on the date already set for the fall ceremony.
“We all love what commencement represents and our students are certainly so very deserving of a meaningful celebration that honors all their hard work and accomplishments,” FPU President Joseph Jones, Ph.D., said when the decision was announced April 8.
The event will begin an 10:00 a.m. in Selland Arena, 700 M St., Fresno, the regular home of FPU commencement. While it is unknown how many graduates will be eligible to participate, the university was on track for a record May 2020 class of over 800 new alumni, and December graduations regularly top 400.
May graduates will receive their diplomas in the mail over the summer, and dates for commencement-related events such as the hooding ceremony for graduate students and teacher credential celebration are still being worked out based on the safety of students and others and the best information as it becomes available. “I am deeply grateful for our community’s resilience in the face of adversity, and I am committed to celebrating with you,” Jones said.