The sun sets at Doyt L. Perry Stadium during Friday night's commencement ceremony. It was the first time BGSU hosted commencement at the stadium in 25 years. The outdoor setting helped University leaders ensure health and safety guidelines, including physical distancing, that could be observed for graduates, alumni and loved ones in attendance.
An Honors College graduate awaits crossing the stage. Among the graduates being recognized, 2,132 earned honors based upon high grade point averages. In addition to caps and gowns, graduates wore face coverings during the ceremony.
A BGSU graduate student celebrates with loved ones after the ceremony, sharing their graduation cap for a photo. In the 2020 and Spring 2021 graduating classes, there were 1,409 master's degree candidates and 105 doctoral degree candidates.
A bagpiper marks the official start of the ceremonies. In the 2020 and Spring 2021 graduating classes, there were a total of 7,077 candidates.
Student athletes show their MAC Championship rings during the ceremony.
Morgan Taylor Orr crosses the stage wearing her Frieda Falcon shoes. Orr joins a small group of alumni who secretly served as members of SICSIC and the BGSU mascots, Freddie and Frieda, during their time at BGSU.
Spring 2021 graduates and 2020 alumni gather for a photo during the processional. For many 2020 alumni, the ceremony was the first time they gathered on campus in more than a year because of the global pandemic.
A graduate poses for a photo on stage. In the 2020 and spring 2021 graduating classes, graduates ranged in age from 18 to 70.
President Rodney K. Rogers congratulates a graduate on stage with an elbow bump.
Graduate Tatum Dion Washington hugs her husband on stage. He returned from an overseas deployment the night before and surprised Washington during the ceremony by awarding her degree to announce his return.
A WBGU-TV camera operator records the ceremony. All six of the in-person ceremonies were also livestreamed. In addition, the University hosted a virtual celebration for graduates and their loved ones who were unable to attend in person.
Two graduates lean across the aisle during the ceremony.
A drone captures an aerial perspective of Friday's ceremony as the sun sets on Doyt L. Perry Stadium.
Updated: 05/04/2021 04:51PM