Congratulations 2021 graduation candidates on your impending graduation! To acknowledge and celebrate this important milestone, I am pleased to announce that following careful consideration, an in-person commencement will occur on Saturday, May 15, 2021, in Panther Stadium at 8:30 a.m. I am also happy to share that Spring, Summer and Fall 2020 graduates who had virtual ceremonies last year will be invited to return to an in-person recognition of their achievement in a separate ceremony the day before on Friday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the stadium. We look forward to seeing our 2020 graduates.

In planning for the commencement and recognition ceremonies, safety is a top priority given the COVID-19 pandemic and current state of vaccinations made available across Texas and the nation. For the safety and security of everyone attending, we will continue mask requirements and social distancing at both outdoor events.

Although large and outside, the stadium’s safe social distancing capacity is reduced. Therefore, Spring 2021 graduation candidates will be allotted four tickets each for family, friends, and other guests to attend. Returning 2020 graduates participating in the ceremony on Friday, May 14, must sign up here and are also allowed four tickets for guests. For those who are unable to attend, both events will be livestreamed and can be viewed at www.pvamu.edu/commencement.

The speaker for this semester’s commencement on May 15, 2021, is award-winning author, esteemed public intellectual, and noted political analyst, Michael Eric Dyson. He is the Centennial Chair and University Distinguished Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies in the College of Arts and Science and University Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Society in the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University. Dyson is an ordained Baptist minister who holds a B.A. from Carson-Newman and an M.A. and Ph.D. in religion from Princeton University. Throughout his career, Dyson has had a profound influence on American culture and thinking with expertise in a wide variety of topics, including race, religion, politics, hip-hop, and contemporary issues in the African American community.

The Commencement Steering Committee is committed to making both events memorable and worthy of these momentous occasions. Information about the upcoming commencement will be posted at www.pvamu.edu/commencement. Further details about the special recognition event for 2020 graduates is forthcoming. Please check the website regularly for updates.

Congratulations to our graduates. We are extremely proud of you. Continue to be productive Panthers!

James M. Palmer
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs