Caltech Graduation Ceremony Friday First Commencement in 3 Years

Caltech is all set to conduct its 128th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 10, its first in-person commencement exercises in three years.

The event will start with a procession by the graduating class on Beckman Mall, a performance by the Caltech Glee Club, and the conferral of degrees by President Thomas F. Rosenbaum. The ceremonies start at 10 a.m.

Most of the graduating class have spent the last two years doing classes virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are excited to be finally getting their diplomas in person. The class have also attended some of the preparatory activities – including the Grad Fair last April – in person as well.

“That (the in-person graduation ceremony) will be exciting because I didn’t get the big celebration last year,” Katherine Rinaldi, who’s graduating with a PhD in chemistry, said. “My parents are coming, and my friends who have graduated over the last year are walking. It’s going to be like a big party.”

Shrikeshav Deshmukh, who’s graduating with a BS in mechanical engineering degree, was on the track and field team at Caltech for some time. When COVID-19 hit, he had to pursue other opportunities, and learned to like dance as a hobby. He now leads the Dance Team.

“In-person commencement drives home a feeling of accomplishment, marking the end of my chapter here at Caltech,” Deshmukh said. “It means a lot to me, as it cements the feeling that I’m transitioning from one era of my life to another.”

Caltech said they will be able to accommodate all parents and guests of graduates for the ceremony. Seating in chairs on the lawn will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is no reserved guest seating.

Any number of guests can also be accommodated at the various commencement celebrations, including the Graduate Studies Luncheon, President’s Reception, Senior Banquet, Student Concert, and post-Commencement Luncheon, Caltech said; reservations for these other commencement-related events, however, are required.

Jad Abumrad, creator and former co-host of the science and technology-inspired public radio podcast Radiolab, will be delivering the keynote address at the commencement ceremony.

Abumrad is a MacArthur Fellow and the recipient of three George Foster Peabody Awards, and drew on his background in broadcasting and music composition to redefine science and technology journalism.

“Abumrad’s influential contributions to science communications spring from his ability to tell technically challenging stories in a way that captures the excitement of discovery and engages mainstream audiences,” Caltech president Thomas F. Rosenbaum said in a memo announcing the speaker.

Caltech will be requiring all attendees to the event to provide proof of their fully vaccinated and boosted status and to wear a mask during the event. Graduating students have been required to submit a surveillance test sample on Wednesday, June 8, and any graduating student who tests positive, is under an existing isolation order, or is otherwise feeling ill will not be permitted to participate in or attend the ceremony.

For more information about the health and safety protocols surrounding Caltech’s commencement ceremony and related celebration activities, visit https://commencement.caltech.edu/guests#covid-19-health-and-safety-protocols.

No tickets are required for our commencement ceremony. Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.