Commencement
May 15, 2021
The Graduating Classes of 2020 and 2021 Joined Together to Reflect on and Celebrate a New Path Forward By Caroline Casper, Adjunct Professor of Literature and Humanities On Saturday May 15, 2021, in Atherton, California, Menlo College celebrated its 93rd commencement by combining two classes, for the first time ever, in a socially distanced yet festive graduation ceremony. The event, which was also streamed live on Menlo’s website for those who couldn’t attend in-person, began with a serenade of traditional Scottish bagpipes and an enthusiastic processional of the Menlo 2020 and 2021 graduating classes. The event, which, at times, felt more like a reunion than commencement, was convened by Grand Marshal Charles “Chop” Keenan III ’66 and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung by alumna and class of 2020 salutatorian, Solin Piearcy. After a celebratory welcome to the first gathering of students in 15 months, President Steven Weiner reminded the graduates that although the pandemic and other recent tragic events have seemed to “overshadow everything,” it’s important to remember all that the graduates have accomplished during this time. “We have had such momentum, even during this awful period, and the credit goes to the students sitting in front of me,” he said. 35 SUMMER 2021
