STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Seniors at Penn State University were taking a stroll down College Avenue just off the main campus here in State College.
They were thrilled with the news from the university that graduation will be in-person for seniors attending all its campuses.
The university says commencement weekend is planned for Beaver Stadium May 7 to 9, rain or shine.
"I feel after four years it's the least we deserve is that reward of being in person. I think it makes a huge difference,” said senior Gracie Hamilton.
The school says each graduate is allowed to have two guests; tickets are needed for all attending, including the graduates.
Social distancing will be practiced by having seating pods of three, the graduate and their guests.
Senior Mindy Bean's whole family attended Penn State.
"All my siblings older than me got to graduate here so it'd be pretty disappointing if I wasn't also able to graduate from here with my family here,” said Bean.
"I mean, definitely at least my parents, they've done a lot for more throughout the whole four years and before so it’s definitely good for them to be able to see that,” added senior Eric Smith.
The university says if the governor increases capacity at gatherings in the time leading up to graduation, it will still keep the limit to two guests to maintain social distancing.
For those who cannot attend the graduation, the ceremonies can be watched virtually or live-streamed.
Penn State says it is working on doing something for its 2020 graduates who did not have in-person graduation last year by holding some type of ceremony sometime in the spring of next year.
Graduates and guests who are unable or prefer to not attend in person may view the University-wide virtual ceremony on May 9 at 6 p.m. at virtual.commencement.psu.edu.