Degrees of Success

In the midst of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, the Class of 2020 received a send off like no other during CMU's first, and only, virtual conferral of degrees. More than a dozen acclaimed alumni made cameo appearances alongside university leadership in the online celebration.

In the absence of an in-person ceremony, diplomas had to be packaged and mailed rather than handed out. Each graduate received a carefully-packed box containing their diploma, a Record of Graduates booklet and, if applicable, a university honors medallion and college honors cords.

With appropriate physical distancing between stations, about 35 staff served on the assembly line to create the packages. The endeavor, according to volunteer Matt McCamley, now director of development, was worth the effort to share in a sense of pride and accomplishment with graduates.