Instead of two packed commencement ceremonies in Beeghly Center, Youngstown State University spring 2020 graduates will be walking across the field in Stambaugh Stadium on May 9.
In previous years, the overwhelming number of graduates required the commencements to be broken up into two separate ceremonies.
Jackie LeViseur, director of alumni and events at YSU, said the packed ceremonies were a safety issue and allowed graduates to only invite four to five guests.
“We didn’t want to limit guests coming by giving every graduate four or five tickets for their guests,” LeViseur said. “We wanted everybody to have the opportunity to come and celebrate with their graduate.”
After holding a focus group with faculty, staff and students, the Division of University Relations and the provost decided that having one event in Stambaugh Stadium was the solution for this academic achievement.
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., and Thomas Shipka will be the commencement keynote speaker.