Celebrating the academic achievements of nearly 900 students from the Class of 2019 representing 37 states and 27 countries, Bucknell University’s 169th Commencement will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 19, on Malesardi Quadrangle.
The University will confer 889 degrees — 865 bachelor’s degrees and 24 master’s degrees. The College of Arts & Sciences will confer 568 undergraduate degrees, the College of Engineering will award 155, and the Freeman College of Management will confer 142.
The student speaker for Commencement will be Johnathan “Chief” Coleman ’19, a philosophy and political science major from Long Beach, Calif. Julia Shapiro ’19, an English-creative writing major from Holmdel, N.J., will sing the national anthem.
The ceremony will be streamed live on Bucknell’s Facebook page and through a live webcast.
Commencement Speaker
Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright — a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor — will deliver the keynote address. The first female secretary of state and the 64th overall, Albright was the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government at that time.
“Secretary Albright’s life of courageous service has not only left an indelible mark on the world in which we live, but it is also a profound example of what one can achieve when equipped with the critical-thinking skills, creativity and intellectual curiosity associated with a broad education,” Bucknell President John Bravman said.
Currently a professor in the practice of diplomacy at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Albright also serves as the chair of both Albright Stonebridge Group, a global strategy firm, and Albright Capital Management LLC, an investment advisory firm.
Weather Updates
If severe weather is likely, including thunderstorms with lightning, high winds, heavy or prolonged rain, Commencement may be delayed or moved indoors. This will be determined by 7 a.m. on Sunday morning. Announcements about the change will be made through campus email notification. You can also call 570-577-2020 for the latest weather-related updates. Signs will be posted at the entrances to Malesardi Quadrangle and the lobby of the Elaine Langone Center. The University telephone operators will also be providing information at 570-577-2000.
The procession and Ceremony may also be delayed by up to two hours, then remain outdoors as planned.
If the ceremony is forced indoors, it will be held in Gerhard Fieldhouse at 10 a.m. Only graduates and ticket holders will be permitted. Other guests will be able to view a live broadcast of the event at one of several locations, including the Weis Center for the Performing Arts, Trout Auditorium in the Vaughan Literature Building and several classrooms.
For more information, including a complete schedule of all Commencement Weekend events, registration and general information, visit Commencement 2019.