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Virtual Blue Band

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As is customary, the Spring 2020 Commencement ceremony at Penn State was officially concluded with the playing of the University's Alma Mater. Members of the Penn State Blue Band, along with a variety of singers, joined together for a virtual performance of the traditional song at the conclusion of the livestream of the event on the afternoon of May 9.

behind the scenes virtual commencement

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A look behind the scenes as Penn State President Eric Barron and Vice President and Provost Nicholas Jones host the livestream of the Spring 2020 Commencement ceremony at WPSU-TV. The May 9 broadcast was livestreamed to graduates, families and friends around the world.

Nicholas Jones

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Penn State Vice President and Provost Nicholas Jones enjoys one of the many videotaped features that were part of the live broadcast of the Spring 2020 Virtual Commencement ceremony on May 9. Jones co-hosted the live event with Penn State President Eric Barron from the studio at WPSU-TV.

John Urschel

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A variety of special guests, including Penn State graduate John Urschel, offered congratulations to the Class of 2020 via videotaped messages during the livestream of Penn State's Spring 2020 Virtual Commencement ceremony, held May 9, and originating from the studios at WPSU-TV.

monitor wall WPSU

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The monitor wall in the control room at WPSU-TV reflected the combination of live images from studio and sound along with the variety of videotaped roll-ins and graphics used in the virtual production of Penn State's Spring 2020 Commencement ceremony on May 9.

President Barron virtual commencement

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Penn State President Eric Barron welcomed graduates, families and friends to the livestream of Spring 2020 Commencement ceremony on the afternoon of May 9. The broadcast also included live remarks from Vice President and Provost Nicholas Jones, along with a variety of videotaped features and special guest appearances.

virtual commencement wide shot

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Penn State Vice President and Provost Nicholas Jones, left, co-hosted the Spring 2020 Virtual Commencement ceremony live from WPSU-TV studios along with Penn State President Eric Barron. The May 9 livestream was viewed by Penn State graduates, families and friends worldwide.

infographic of seed grant data

Institute awards 32 computational and data sciences seed grants

The Institute for Computational and Data Sciences, in conjunction with several Penn State colleges, awarded more than $725,000 in seed grants to fund 32 new computational and data sciences projects. The 57 researchers involved in the awards represent 12 Penn State colleges and 31 academic departments.