Who: St. Francis College graduates from spring/summer 2020, winter 2021 and spring 2021

Keynote address from Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League

Where: Ford Amphitheater at the Coney Island Boardwalk

3052 West 21 St., Brooklyn, NY 11224

Livestream on Facebook

When: Thursday, May 20, 2021

10 am EDT: Spring/summer 2020 graduates

3 pm EDT: Winter and spring 2021 graduates

Members of the media: email news@sfc.edu to arrange coverage or to request interviews, images or video.

For other questions, email [email protected].

St. Francis College will host its first in-person commencement since January 2020, celebrating graduates from spring 2021, along with those who earned degrees in spring and summer 2020 and in winter 2021, at the Ford Amphitheater at the Coney Island Boardwalk on May 20, 2021.

The day's events will take place during two separate ceremonies. The morning will honor those who completed their degrees last spring and summer, followed by an afternoon ceremony for graduates from winter and spring 2021.

Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, will deliver a live keynote address in the afternoon ceremony, and a recorded video version in the morning. New York State Senator Charles Schumer will deliver recorded remarks on video airing in both ceremonies. Nicole Taliercio '20, the spring 2020 co-valedictorian, will deliver a speech recorded on video in the morning ceremony. Dana Lall, who will earn a B.S. in nursing, will deliver the spring 2021 valedictorian speech recorded on video in the afternoon ceremony.

"Commencement is one of the true highlights of the year for me, as I know it is for so many of you. I'm thrilled to salute our graduates and special guests in person once again this year," said Miguel Martinez-Saenz, Ph.D., President of St. Francis College, in an April 13, 2021 statement in which he announced the College's plans to host in-person commencement again. "I look forward to welcoming our last two cohorts of graduates along with their counterparts from this spring and paying tribute to all they have accomplished."

President Martinez-Saenz will be among the St. Francis College leaders addressing graduates live at the ceremonies. Jennifer Lancaster, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean, will read graduates' names and present awards.

Spring 2021 commencement exercises will follow strict safety protocols, including requiring those in attendance be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or show a recent negative test result. Social distancing and mask wearing will be enforced at the open-air venue.

St. Francis College anticipates more than 350 students will graduate this spring. The College conferred 121 degrees in winter 2021 and 392 in spring 2020.