Congratulations Castleton University Class of 2020
Castleton University recognized its fifth graduating class for its outstanding academic, co-curricular, and civic engagement accomplishments on Saturday, May 16, 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the class of 2020 commencement ceremony is scheduled for the spring of 2021, which will be Castleton’s 233rd commencement.
“I know how important celebrating your significant accomplishment is to you and your families. I hope that all of you find ways to safely mark this moment with family until we are able to hold your commencement ceremony,” Castleton President Dr. Karen M. Scolforo said. “It’s important to us that we celebrate your success as well, and we will ensure an opportunity to take part in this tradition.”
To celebrate the achievements of this year’s graduates on what would have been their commencement day, Castleton University held a day of virtual celebration that included:
- A special, electronic graduation edition of the Castleton Magazine
- A keepsake video highlighting the accomplishments and memories of the graduating class, as well as messages from faculty and staff. Graduating students also submitted favorite photos and video messages for the video
- An all-day social media celebration of student, faculty, and staff messages to the graduating class
“If we had the chance to be together one more time this semester, what I would have told you is I’m really proud of you,” President Scolforo said in her remarks to the class. “I hope you have the most precious memories of your friendships here at Castleton, of your amazing professors, of our supportive staff, of our entire community, and how we all circled around you, and how much we all want to see you successful. I’m so proud of you.”
In a video message to graduates, Class President Zijie “Frank” Wan congratulated all of this year’s graduates for their hard work.
“There’s a saying that I want to say to everyone: Believe that you are gold, and you will shine everywhere,” Wan said. “This has always helped me to have the confidence to talk to people, to be social and has been my motivation to do everything I want to do. It doesn’t matter where you are; it matters that you believe in yourself, and you have confidence. No matter what happens in the future, you’ll always find a method and way to trust yourself.”
The Class of 2020 is made up of 460 graduates from all over Vermont, the United States, and abroad.