Purdue’s Class of 2020 to receive special delivery commencement

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The new normal of these times is delivering an innovative way for Purdue University’s historic Class of 2020 to celebrate this next giant leap in their lives.

The nearly 7,500 Purdue students earning undergraduate and graduate degrees this spring are being mailed all the essentials needed to host their personal on-demand commencement ceremony in mid-May. Even if it is via remote.

Graduates over the next two weeks will receive a creative commencement-in-box, packaged and protected in a coordinated, Purdue-branded gold and black sleeve, stating “This Giant Leap We Take Together.”

Inside the box from the Office of the Registrar, students will find a diploma holder, commencement program and earned honor cords and medals. The 13-by-10-inch keepsake also will be filled with Boilermaker memorabilia and a flyer on how to download materials for their commencement, which they can watch on-demand with their families at a time best for them.

Purdue University’s commencement boxes are tightly packed and will go to 2020 spring graduates. Download image

“The entire Purdue community is rising to the challenge to make our 2020 commencement ceremony memorable and meaningful for all graduating Boilermakers — even if it must be virtual because of these extraordinary times,” said Chris Pass, senior assistant registrar for academic records, commencement and graduation. “We want to acknowledge our students’ persistence and accomplishments, and that their achievement deserves a proper celebration.”

Exercising safety recommendations, Pass said campus teams are working the week of April 27 to assemble and pack up to 1,500 commencement boxes daily, ensuring they arrive to graduates’ homes by May 15. That is the original date of Purdue’s in-person event. This will give the students and their families time to plan their own digital graduation ceremonies.

Purdue students, parents and family members can visit here for more information on how to access the on-demand commencement.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at purdue.edu.

Writer: Phillip Fiorini, 765-430-6189, pfiorini@purdue.edu

Media contact: Matthew Oates, 765-586-7496 (cell), oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates

Source: Chris Pass, senior assistant registrar, dehahn@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Photos of the commencement boxes are available on Google Drive. Chris Pass is available for phone or web-based video interviews. Contact Matt Oates at oatesw@purdue.edu to arrange.