Three photos from commencement ceremonies: Graduates in caps and gowns celebrating outside, a cap with the M logo on it, and a graduate smiling

Carlson School Holds Spring Commencement In-Person

Friday, October 8, 2021

Class of 2021 graduates standing at their commencement ceremony at Mariucci Arena.
1,500+ degrees were awarded to the Class of 2021 across the undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs.

Six ceremonies. Two days. One location. Yes, the Carlson School was able to honor members of the Class of 2021—and the Class of 2020—with in-person commencement ceremonies in May at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

All ceremonies followed federal, state of Minnesota, and University COVID-19 guidelines for indoor events at the time they were held. Capacity was limited and ceremonies lasted less than 60 minutes.

“With everything that has been thrown your way, especially in the past year, each of you has displayed significant resilience, adaptability, strength, and even courage to continue moving yourselves and your community forward,” Dean Sri Zaheer told the graduates, many of whom urged the school to host in-person ceremonies. The Carlson School was the only University of Minnesota-Twin Cities college to offer a “traditional” in-person graduation ceremony, with guests, to all of its graduates.

In total, more than 1,500 degrees were awarded to the Class of 2021 across the undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs. Nate Taye, ’21 BSB, was honored as the 93rd recipient of the Tomato Can Loving Cup, the most prestigious honor the school bestows on an undergraduate student. Jael Kerandi, ’21 BSB, and Yauheniya (Jane) Hochhalter, ’20 MAcc, the selected student speakers, offered words of encouragement to their fellow graduates.

In addition, the Carlson School provided a virtual commencement ceremony for the Class of 2021 with a digital experience featuring well wishes and congratulatory messages from faculty, staff, and fellow students.

Fall 2021 alumni magazine cover

This article appeared in the Fall 2021 alumni magazine

Our world, our lives, and our work have changed. We must continue to adapt.

So, how do we do that? Where do we go from here? What’s next?

Fall 2021 table of contents