Large Turnout Expected for Long-Awaited In-person Commencement Ceremony for Class of 2020 This Sunday

UMass Amherst will welcome back more than 1,200 members of the Class of 2020 to campus this Sunday, Nov. 7, for a long-awaited, in-person celebration of their undergraduate academic achievements. COVID-19 restrictions cancelled plans for the university’s annual commencement ceremony in May 2020, but this year’s Homecoming Week presents a perfect opportunity for the Class of 2020 Commencement in the Mullins Center.

Image

Family and friends have responded with great enthusiasm with more than 4,500 guests registered for an event delayed 17 months. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and will include remarks by Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy; a keynote address by David A. Lowy ’83, associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court; Student Speaker Grace Jung ’20; and Faculty Speaker Wilmore Webley, associate professor of microbiology.

The class had previously been recognized in May 2020 with a virtual celebration, but this in-person gathering will be a cherished moment. Subbaswamy notes, “No other class in the history of UMass Amherst has experienced the challenges you have faced, both as a member of this academic community, and in a larger societal context. These experiences, while difficult, prepared you well for your future. For just as you demonstrated perseverance and resourcefulness in the face of historic adversity to arrive here today, so you will successfully navigate the challenges ahead and celebrate those accomplishments as well.”

The ceremony will also include remarks by UMass Trustee Mary Burns as well as recognition of the 21st Century Leaders and the Jack Welch Scholars. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, all attendees at the Nov. 7 event must wear face coverings at all times inside the Mullins Center, regardless of vaccination status. Attendees must also abide by social distancing requirements. Please visit umass.edu/coronavirus for the latest public health guidance to ensure compliance with campus regulations.

The approximately 6,600 graduates in the Class of 2020 were honored in May 2020 with a virtual celebration that featured salutes from nearly 30 prominent public and political figures, including actor Ben Affleck, TV host and political commentator Rachel Maddow, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Gov. Charlie Baker, and U.S. Representatives Jim McGovern, Richard Neal and Ayanna Pressley. The virtual celebration page, which includes a feature video, has been viewed more 86,000 times, including more than 20,000 views since the virtual celebration first occurred on May 8, 2020.

Distinguished Keynote Speaker

David A. Lowy was appointed to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court by Gov. Charlie Baker in 2016. He earned a bachelor of arts degree, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from UMass Amherst in 1983, and graduated magna cum laude from Boston University School of Law in 1987.

Following law school, he worked as an associate at Goodwin, Procter & Hoar before becoming an assistant district attorney in Essex and Suffolk counties and then deputy legal counsel to Gov. William R. Weld. He was first appointed to the bench in 1997 as a district court judge and, in 2001, Gov. Paul Cellucci appointed him to the Superior Court. Justice Lowy has taught at New England School of Law, Suffolk University Law School, and Boston University School of Law.

Student Speaker

Grace Jung  ’20, of Newton, completed a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. She chose to attend UMass for the university’s strong research and lab-based curriculum and the wide range of extracurricular opportunities. Planning a career in dentistry, she became

active in pre-dental organizations. Jung served as treasurer for the UMass Amherst Pre-Dental Society, developing budgets and mentoring fellow pre-dental students. She was on the Pre-Dental Advisory Committee of the American Student Dental Association District 1 as well, working with predental students across New England to create relationships with current dental students.

Jung is currently completing her master’s degree in biomedical sciences at Rutgers University with plans to attend dental school. She works as a dental assistant and continues to volunteer with the Center for Women and Community as a hotline counselor advocate.

Faculty Speaker

Wilmore Webley earned his Ph.D. in microbiology with expertise in immunology, pathogenic bacteriology, and host-pathogen interactions at UMass Amherst in 2003. Webley is a staunch advocate for effective student mentoring, excellence in educational pursuits and is a leader in student success initiatives. He is an associate professor of microbiology and recently served as the director of the pre-med/pre-health advising program at UMass.

In June he was appointed as the associate dean for inclusion and engagement in the Graduate School. Webley is a Fulbright Scholar; a recipient of the Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 2019; the Distinguished Teaching Award in recognition for outstanding teaching accomplishments; and the Black Student Union Award for Outstanding Devotion & Dedication to the Profession.