For recent biology graduate Julia Hahn, success is non-negotiable. Challenged, inspired and impassioned by motherhood, this new Penn State alumna will take a gap year to prepare for the MCAT and spend time with her young son before applying to medical school, where she intends to specialize in pediatrics.
For Michele Atkinson, a graduating business major, the road to a bachelor’s degree spanned four decades and ended at Penn State Schuylkill, where she unexpectedly found herself attending a negotiation class alongside her daughter and fellow business major Kelsey.
Graduates and Penn State alumni stand to be recognized at Penn State Beaver's commencement ceremony Saturday, May, 8, 2021, under a tent in one of the campus parking lots. Commencement was held outside to accommodate COVID-19 event requirements.
Noel Kaufman is an accomplished student-athlete and has the athletic conference awards and academic honors to prove it. While she takes her volleyball game seriously, she is also a dedicated student who balances athletic play with school and full-time work responsibilities.
Penn State celebrated the accomplishments of graduates during its spring 2021 commencement ceremonies May 7 through May 9. This spring the University awarded approximately 14,400 diplomas to students University-wide who are completing associate, baccalaureate, master, law, doctoral and medical degrees. All figures listed are estimates as of April 5; totals do not include the Pennsylvania College of Technology.
