A Look Back at BU’s Historic Class of 2020 Commencement

COMMENCEMENT 2020

A Look Back at BU’s Historic Class of 2020 Commencement

Photo gallery captures all the excitement and emotion from Sunday’s delayed graduation

October 6, 2021
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It’s fair to say that no Commencement in BU history has been longer in the planning or more eagerly anticipated than this year’s October 3 ceremony for the Class of 2020. Originally scheduled for May 17, 2020, the 147th All-University Commencement was postponed by the pandemic, with a University promise that it would be held at a later date. That date ended up being in October (a first) 2021. An estimated 1,818 grads traveled from 46 states and from across the globe to attend, accompanied by nearly 6,000 guests. Many other 2020 grads, unable to return to campus, watched the ceremony online.

As they do each year, the BU Photography staff, with the help of half a dozen freelancers, covered the entire proceedings, snapping approximately 10,000 photos to record this past Sunday’s historic event for posterity. In our photo essay, we’ve put together almost 70 of the best images from the ceremony, capturing the joy, excitement, love, and pride these Terriers waited so long to experience. Take a look.

Two students smile and pose for a photo while celebrating on Nickerson Field following BU's Class of 2020 Commencement.

Photo by Dave Green 

A Class of 2020 graduating student speaks to the crowd on stage during Boston University's 147th Commencement.

Photo by Jake Belcher

A graduating student wearing a BU Class of 2020 face covering peers down at the camera.

Photo by Jake Belcher

Graduating students cheer as they are projected on a big screen to the left of the stage suring Commencement.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

A BU Class of 2020 graduate with blue hair wears a mortarboard cap that says 'She doesn't even go here anymore' during Boston University's 147th Commencement ceremony.

Photo by Melissa Ostrow

A BU Class of 2020 graduate poses for a photo lying on Nickerson Field and flashing a peace sign.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

A section of Class of 2020 graduating students stand and take photos during BU's 147th Commencement ceremony.

Photo by Michael D. Spencer

A Class of 2020 graduate smiles and talks to a friend or family member following graduation.

Photo by Jake Belcher

Class of 2020 Student Commencement Speaker Macken Murphy addresses graduates and audience during Boston University's 147th Commencement.

Photo by Jake Belcher

A singer performs during Boston University's 147th Commencement.

Photo by Cydney Scott

Wide, elevated view of the stage and field at Boston University's 147th Commencement for the BU Class of 2020.
Photo by Dave Green
Two BU Class of 2020 graduates wearing face coverings hold a black umbrella over their head while watching the Commencement ceremony.

Photo by Jake Belcher 

Two BU Class of 2020 graduates wearing red sunglasses pose for a photo during Commencement.

Photo by Cydney Scott 

A student pulls a poncho over her head during Boston University's Commencement for the Class of 2020.

Photo by Michael D. Spencer

BU Class of 2020 graduates flash peace signs and point at the camera following graduation.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Four BU Class of 2020 graduates pose for a photo in their caps and gowns.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

A Black family poses for a photo with their BU Class of 2020 graduate following Boston University's 147th Commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Dave Green

Three Boston University graduates jump in their smiling for a photo following Commencement.

Photo by Dave Green

Five Class of 2020 graduates throw their graduation caps in the air on Nickerson Field following Commencment.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

Class of 2020 students celebrate on Nickerson Field after being pronounced graduated.

Photo by Michael D. Spencer

A friend or family member throws a bouquet of flowers to a BU Class of 2020 graduate.
Photo by Colgan Johnson
Graduating Students and specators congregate and take photos on Marsh Plaza following Boston University's 147th COmmencement ceremony.

Photo by Cydney Scott 

Five Boston University Class of 2020 graduates wearing red robes and blue stoles throw their graduation caps in the air

Photo by Dave Green

A student hugs a family member following Boston University's 147th Commencement.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Two BU Class of 2020 graduates laugh following Commencement. One is carrying a bouquet of flowers.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

BU Class of 2020 graduates sign the Class of 2020 banner.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

Boston University faculty wearing ceremonious caps and gowns wave during Boston University's 147th Commencement ceremony.

Photo by Jake Belcher

Graduating students watch the Class of 2020 Commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Michael D. Spencer 

Smiling students talk to each other on Nickerson Field following graduation.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

A BU Class of 2020 graduate poses for a photo pointing at the rain poncho package given to graduates on the field.

Photo by Dave Green

Class of 2020 students cheer during Boston University's 147th Commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

A brass ensemble performs during Boston University's 147th Commencement.

Photo by Dave Green

Streamers fly in the air as the BU Class of 2020 is pronounced graduated.
Photo by Chris McIntosh
Faculty and staff walk towards the stage as Boston University's Class of 2020 Commencement begins.

Photo by Michael D. Spencer

Class of 2020 students congratulate each other after Boston University's 147th Commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Dave Green

The procession of graduating students begins Boston University's 147th Commencement.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Three Black students pose for a celebratory photo following their Commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

A row of graduate students cheer during the Class of 2020 Commencement at Boston University.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Elevated view of Nickerson Field during Boston University's 147th Commencement taken from the top of the Nickerson Field bleachers.

Photo by Dave Green

Two students hold their graduation caps in the air and look over their shoulders smiling for a photo.

Photo by Dave Green

Two students embrace in a big hug following Boston University's graduation for the Class of 2020. One student has jumped up into the other's arms.

Photo by Dave Green

A man throws rain ponchos to graduating students during Boston University's Class of 2020 Commencement ceremony.

Photo by Dave Green

Two students embrace in a celebratory hug after Boston University's Class of 2020 graduation.

Photo by Dave Green

Graduating students and family congregate on Nickerson Field following Boston University's 147th COmmencement ceremony.
Photo by Jake Belcher
Two students embrace in a celebratory hug after Boston University's Class of 2020 graduation.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Four Class of 2020 students stop to pose for a photo as they walk onto Nickers Field for Boston University's 147th Commencement ceremony.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

View of spectators behind graduating students of the Boston University Class of 2020 during Commencement.

Photo by Dave Green

Two students embrace in a celebratory hug after Boston University's Class of 2020 graduation.

Photo by Dave Green

Class of 2020 students cheer during Boston University's 147th Commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Dave Green

A BU Class of 2020 graduate poses for a photo with family or friends following Commencement.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

A student carries a bouquet of red roses following the BU Class of 2020 Commencement.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Class of 2020 students cheer during Boston University's 147th Commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

A BU Class of 2020 student poses for a photo during Commencement.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

View of Nickerson Field with Student Village 2 dorm building in the background as BU Class of 2020 graduating students walk onto the field for Commencement.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Spectators hold umbrellas, wear hoods, and put open books on their heads to protect them from the rain at Boston University's Commencement on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Dave Green

A BU Class of 2020 graduate poses for a photo with her family following Commencement.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

Two graduating student in graduation gowns laugh. One student is wearing a shawl over their graduation gown.

Photo by Dave Green

BU Class of 2020 students celebrate following their graduation ceremony. Two students are hugging.

Photo by Dave Green

Smiling Boston University students wearing graduation gowns and caps pose for a photo during BU's 147th Commencement.

Photo by Dave Green

A graduating student poses for a photo during Commencement.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

A view over the heads of a crowd of specators at BU's 147th Commencement ceremony. In the background is the Boston University sign on the wall surrounding Nickerson Field.
Photo by Dave Green
Two students pose for a photo smiling and flashing peace signs for the camera while celebrating on Nickerson Field following BU's Class of 2020 Commencement.

Photo by Dave Green

Phoo of white streamers filling the air over graduates at the 2020 Commencement ceremony. The Jumbotron reads "congratulations graduates!" in the background.

Photo by Janice Checchio

A student hugs a family member or friend following Boston University's Commencement for the Class of 2020.

Photo by Dave Green

Two graduating BU Class of 2020 students laugh and pose for a photo. One student is hopped up on the other's back.

Photo by Dave Green

Students laugh while celebrating on Nickerson Field following BU's Class of 2020 Commencement.

Photo by Dave Green

A graduating student hugs a family member or friend following Boston University's Commencement for the Class of 2020.

Photo by Dave Green

A student smiles as she hugs a family member following Boston University's 147th Commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Dave Green

Two family members attending Boston University's 147th Commencement sit on Nickerson Field and pose for a photo holding the Red Book program for the ceremony.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

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