Best of CASE District II Award
 

Institution: Syracuse University

Title of entry: Class of 2020 Commencement and Reunion Weekend

About this entry: Syracuse University welcomed members of the Class of 2020 home September 17-19, 2021 with special reunion programming as the class was finally able to celebrate an in-person Commencement. The Office of Alumni Engagement team, and Syracuse University as a whole, knew the importance of properly recognizing and engaging this class after they had so many pivotal life moments taken away because of COVID-19. This went above and beyond a traditional Commencement Weekend.

The weekend kicked off on Friday with a “welcome home” reception as Syracuse University officially welcomed the class to Generation Orange (our term for young alumni). With cookout fare and lively music in large tents on the campus quad, this was a perfect opportunity for the Class of 2020 to reconnect with classmates and to take a class photo on the steps of Hendricks Chapel, an iconic campus building. Saturday morning provided the graduates and their families an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and resilience in a fun, spirited reunion tailgate in Syracuse University’s newly reimagined Schine Student Center. The class was greeted by faculty and staff members, along with programs including Syracuse Abroad, that truly made an impact on their time on campus. Saturday evening, we invited all attendees to join the “Orange After Dark” student organization for an outdoor feature film and delicious snacks!

The weekend concluded with the long-awaited Class of 2020 Commencement in Syracuse University’s newly renovated Stadium followed by individual school and college receptions.