MANSFIELD – Mansfield University held its 155th commencement exercises for Spring and Summer 2020 graduates in a pair of ceremonies at Karl Van Norman Field on Saturday, August 8.
The commencement was originally scheduled for May 2 but was
postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Saturday’s commencement was split into two smaller ceremonies
with limited attendance, physical distancing, and other safety measures in
place to comply with Pennsylvania Department of Health, State System, and
federal guidelines. The university recognized it’s graduates from the College of
Arts and Humanities at 9 a.m. then held a ceremony for the College of Natural
and Social Science at 1 p.m.
Dr. Charles Patterson, President of Mansfield University
welcomed graduates and explained “this graduation is uniquely yours.”
Patterson went on to encourage the graduates to “take what
you have learned from this challenging and disruptive experience, combine this
with the knowledge gained through the attainment of your degree, and apply this
to your life as you move forward.”
Steve McCloskey, a 1991 graduate of Mansfield University and
retired MU Director of Athletic Operations and Information, served as the
keynote speaker at both ceremonies.
McCloskey spoke to the graduates about overcoming adversity
and having the courage to face your fears and how that related to the adversity
faced by the Class of 2020 in their final semester.
“100 years from now, the commencement speaker will be talking
about how great this class was, and how they found a way to make it all work no
matter what the adversity was” explained McCloskey. He also spoke about how Mansfield
will always be a part of the graduate’s lives. “You can leave Mansfield, but
Mansfield University and the spirit of the Mountaineer will never leave you.”
During the commencement, Casey Wood ‘02 gave a greeting from
Alumni Relations, Anthony Mastroianni ’21 represented the Student Government
Association, and Dr. John Ulrich recognized the faculty emeriti.
Dr. Jonathan Rothermel served as Grand Marshal and Dr. Scott
Davis was Herald.
