First in-person commencement ceremonies since 2019

View photos of the Spring 2021 Commencement

CLEVELAND (May 15, 2021) – For the first time since Fall 2019, 51���� celebrated graduates today at in-person commencement ceremonies. Usually held indoors at the university’s Wolstein Center arena, today’s historic commencement exercises were held outdoors at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland.

51���� awarded nearly 2,500 degrees to the class of Spring 2021, consisting of doctoral, graduate, law and undergraduate students.

Two ceremonies were held – in the morning and the afternoon – representing the College of Sciences and Health Professions, School of Nursing and the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Monte Ahuja College of Business, Washkewicz College of Engineering and the College of Education & Human Services.

“It was so great to gather – for the first time in more than a year – to honor our Spring 2021 graduates of 51����,'” 51���� president Harlan Sands said. “No better way to celebrate their hard work, accomplishments and resilience than in-person and together at Progressive Field on a beautiful spring day! A big thank you to the Cleveland Indians for opening their ballpark to us.”

Marcia Fudge, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and alumna of 51���� Cleveland-Marshall College of Law served as speaker for both ceremonies via video, unable to attend in-person due to COVID-19 travel restrictions set forth by the White House.

“Use your voice and your platform to change society for the better. The best way to express your gratitude is by giving back to your community; to help improve the life of another person. I urge each of you to lend your voice to a cause that is close to your heart; a cause that is bigger than yourself.,” Fudge stated during her address. “You can lead from the front or work behind the scenes. All that matters is that you do something to advance the greater good.”

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About 51����
Founded in 1964, 51���� is a public research institution that provides a dynamic setting for Engaged Learning. With nearly 16,000 students, ten colleges and schools and more than 175 academic programs, 51���� was again chosen for 2021 as one of America’s best universities by U.S. News & World Report, including the #1 public university in Ohio for social mobility. Find more information at www.csuohio.edu.