The ongoing state restrictions on large gatherings has resulted in the postponement of Commencement exercises for the Class of 2020. Members will be invited to walk during a May 2021 Commencement ceremony.
As Interim President Roy Saigo shared in a recent letter to the campus community, “We share the significant disappointment that the Class of 2020 and their families are experiencing in reaction to this news. Commencement serves as the culminating event for Westfield State graduates and an opportunity for the fuller campus community to share in this annual celebration of our graduates’ success.
“Currently, more intimate virtual celebrations by academic college or department are being planned. In addition, members of the Class of 2020 will be invited to walk during a May 2021 Commencement ceremony.
“On behalf of the entire Westfield State University community, we wish the Class of 2020 well-deserved congratulations on completing their undergraduate and graduate degrees. While we had hoped to announce the following news in person during the October ceremony, we are pleased to share the names of the Class of 2020’s valedictorian and salutatorian, as well as the recipients of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education Dean’s Award and the Nevins Outstanding Educator Award. They are:
- 2020 Valedictorians:
Julianna Campbell (English)
Carly Thibodeau (Economics and Management/Environmental Science)
Jessie Walton (Movement Science)
Vita Yurovsky (Business Management)
- 2020 Salutatorian:
Sarah Dunn (Elementary Education/Liberal Studies)
- 2020 CGCE Dean’s Award:
Jason Richard (Criminal Justice)
- 2020 Dr. John F. Nevins Outstanding Educator Award:
Jessica Grabowski, MS, PA-C (Assistant Professor, Health Sciences)
“We are proud of all our graduates—but especially our 2020 graduates, who persevered to attain their degrees despite the challenges associated with a global pandemic. We look forward to acknowledging their undergraduate and graduate academic success in person next spring!”