Dear Members of the Clark Community,
As Commencement 2021 approaches, we are writing to share a final update on plans and logistics. We are anticipating a joyful event to celebrate our students as they move on from Clark University to pursue their chosen career and life paths.
Date and Time
As a reminder, our ceremonies will be held on Saturday, June 12, for students receiving graduate degrees and on Sunday, June 13, for students receiving undergraduate degrees. Both ceremonies will take place, rain or shine, at Clark’s Granger Field by the Dolan Field House on Beaver Street, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Honorary Degree Recipients
We are proud to share that Clark will confer honorary degrees on June 13 to three distinguished individuals who are prominent in their field:
- James P. McGovern, a member of the United States House of Representatives who has represented Massachusetts’ 2nd Congressional District — which includes the City of Worcester — since 1997. Rep. McGovern has served in key leadership positions in Congress, where he has fought on behalf of human rights across the world and been a fierce proponent for ending hunger in the United States. Rep. McGovern will deliver this year’s Commencement address at the June 13 ceremony.
- Naomi Oreskes, the Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science and affiliated professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University. Dr. Oreskes is an internationally renowned geologist, science historian, and author of both scholarly and popular books and articles on the history of earth and environmental science. Her book, “Merchants of Doubt,” is considered a seminal examination of the struggle between scientists and science deniers.
- Ambassador Libérat Mfumukeko, MBA ’94, who served as secretary general of the East African Community, spearheading efforts to provide economic opportunities for people in six countries. Ambassador Mfumukeko also served as principal adviser to the president of the Republic of Burundi, and helped found Bujumbura International University for low-income students. He was recently appointed to the World Bank, where he represents the interests of 22 countries.
More information about our honorary degree recipients can be found here.
Logistics
We have finalized many details for Commencement since our last message to you. We urge you to visit our Commencement site, which provides essential information about Commencement Day parking, livestreaming options, accessibility to the venue, and other logistical details that will help you navigate the event.
A few things that are important to know:
- Students were asked to confirm their participation in the ceremony by April 28. On Tuesday, June 1, any students who did so should have received an email with an individualized link to register for tickets. Graduates, if you did not receive the email and should have, please contact commencement@clarku.edu. As a reminder, Clark is allowing a maximum of two guests per person, which includes children and adults, and everyone will be required to provide a ticket for entry to the ceremony.
- We will have designated parking areas that will be clearly marked with signage and wayfinding. Our Commencement website provides further information.
- Due to time constraints, our graduates will not receive actual diplomas at either ceremony. As previously announced, diplomas will be mailed to you two to three weeks after the ceremony.
We want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we’ve worked to prepare ceremonies that we hope will not only be memorable and meaningful, but that also are designed to better protect the safety and well-being of our graduating students and their families. We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with you all.
Sincerely,
David Fithian ’87
President
Davis Baird
Provost