Celebration planned for the Class of 2020

Virginia Tech will host the Class of 2020 for an in-person celebration on campus this summer.

For the first time, 2020 Hokies will be able to gather as alumni in Blacksburg to celebrate their commencement.

The Class of 2020 Celebration will be June 10-11 and will be free to 2020 alumni. On Friday, June 10, the class will be invited to festivities in downtown Blacksburg. Then on Saturday, June 11, there will be an on-campus party celebrating the class.

The Class of 2020 was the first class to have their senior year disrupted by the effects of COVID-19.

In March 2020, the university announced commencement would move online and graduates would be invited to celebrate commencement that fall and attend a home football game. The season was later upended, the Hokies playing a reduced schedule without spectators.

Since then a commencement delivery team has been working with Class of 2020 class leadership and campus partners to plan a memorable experience to recognize the class and its achievements.

A survey of 2020 alumni showed that the group wanted a chance to celebrate together in-person but not until it was safe to do so in large numbers.

“Our class wanted to be able to come together to celebrate our accomplishments and the experiences we had together as students,” said Greg Klatt, Class of 2020 president. “Some things are worth waiting for. This is an experience we’ve wanted and one that is so important to 2020 Hokies. Even two years after graduation, we want to come together as one class, have fun, and remember our time in Blacksburg.”

The Class of 2020 Celebration will also include an opportunity to socialize with President Tim Sands, spend time with the HokieBird, and attend the university’s Reunion Weekend for free.

Hosting the event during the summer reunion also gives fellow Hokies a chance to celebrate the class. Since the 2020 virtual ceremony well-wishes and support have poured in from fellow alumni, who are eager for the chance to celebrate this new group of alumni.

“Laura and I are thrilled to welcome the Class of 2020 back to campus for this well-deserved commemoration of their accomplishments,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. “We look forward to honoring this special group with a memorable experience that reflects how much we appreciate their strength and spirit.”

Registration for the celebration will open in early 2022. For questions and more information, please visit alumni.vt.edu/2020.