We had all been holding out hope that the Commencement ceremony could proceed as planned. With each passing week, however, a different reality has become clear, and there is simply no choice but to find a different way to mark the occasion this year. Although it is a huge disappointment for us all to forgo our in-person ceremony, we are fully committed to honoring the Class of 2020 in May with a dynamic virtual ceremony on Friday, May 15. Graduating students are also invited to come celebrate with us in person when it is safe to meet again.
Virtual Commencement
The 2020 University Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 15, at 11:30 a.m. EDT, and will include:
- Pre-ceremony activities starting at 11:00 a.m.
- An interactive digital photo gallery of graduates
- Remarks by University President Dr. Dwight A. McBride
- A student performance
- Student speakers and emcees
- Special guests
- Recognition of our newly minted graduates
- Conferral of degrees
- A post-ceremony virtual celebration
All members of our university community, as well as our graduates’ families and friends, are warmly invited to attend.
Questions? Email commencement@newschool.edu or call 646.909.2580 (x2580 for campus extensions).
2019 Highlights
The New School’s 2019 commencement ceremony celebrated a century of forward-thinking education that has dared to push the culture forward. This year’s graduating class welcomed MeToo movement founder and social activist Tarana J. Burke; human rights advocate,
World War II refugee, and New School Board of Trustees member Robert Mundheim; and Crazy Rich Asians author and Parsons alumnus Kevin Kwan as honorary doctoral degree recipients. Student speaker Ta Kasitipradit and GRAMMY Award winner and
School of Jazz and Contemporary Music alumna Linda Briceño inspired graduates preparing to follow in the footsteps of the trailblazing New Schoolers who came before them, furthering the university’s mission of creating a more just, more beautiful,
and better-designed world.