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Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson's 2010 Commencement ceremonyy

Emerson institutes safety precautions for in-person graduation

By Alec Klusza / April 3, 2021

Emerson announced its in-person commencement at Fenway Park will feature socially distanced pods for students and their guests, as well as mandatory mask-wearing,...

Soledad O'Brien speaking to graduates during 2019's commencement ceremony.

College officials reconsidering in-person commencement

By Frankie Rowley and Camilo Fonseca / March 25, 2021

Emerson is “exploring several options” for an in-person commencement ceremony alongside the previously announced virtual celebration on May 9, according...

Soledad O'Brien speaking to graduates during 2019's commencement ceremony.

Should Emerson host in-person graduation?

By Editorial Board / March 25, 2021

As college students, the driving force to get us through 8 a.m. classes, midterm exams, and the ever-rising tuition rate is the monumental closing event...

The college illuminated Little Building with artwork and messages celebrating the graduating class of 2020 on Saturday. The display will run for two weeks.

Two Emerson classes devastated by loss of graduation ceremonies

By Frankie Rowley / March 17, 2021

For the second year in a row, Emerson will hold an online commencement ceremony in May, slashing a ritual many recent and upcoming graduates anticipated...

Courtesy of Emerson College.

2021 commencement ceremony to be held virtually

By Frankie Rowley / February 4, 2021

The class of 2021’s commencement ceremony will be held virtually on May 9, Emerson announced in an email Thursday.  The announcement comes amid statewide...

Joe Biden speaking to students at Emerson's commencement ceremony in 2003.

A look back on Joe Biden’s 2003 Emerson Commencement speech

By Diti Kohli / November 7, 2020

More than 17 years before Joe Biden became the President-elect, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Emerson and commended the college’s graduating...

Soledad O'Brien speaking to graduates during 2019's commencement ceremony.

Emerson Class of 2020 commencement pushed to next year

By Diana Bravo / July 31, 2020

The classes of 2020 and 2021 will share a commencement weekend in May 2021, the college announced Friday Both commencement ceremonies will take place...

The college illuminated Little Building with artwork and messages celebrating the graduating class of 2020 on Saturday. The display will run for two weeks.

College lights up Little Building in honor of graduating students

By Diana Bravo and Dylan Rossiter / May 16, 2020

A series of messages and artwork lit up the Little Building Saturday night to honor the Class of 2020.  The 11-story art installation titled “One...

"We did not just work so hard for four years and not be able to celebrate those achievements with our friends and loved ones. We deserve to walk."

Seniors are robbed of a milestone by not walking in person

By Melissa Rosales / March 31, 2020

In an email to the Class of 2020, President M. Lee Pelton announced that Commencement on May 9 and 10 will be postponed.  “No doubt, this news comes...

Senior Tatiana Melendez, pictured second from the left in the top row, said she was looking forward to celebrating Commencement with her friends.
Top Row (left to right): Jonah Puskar, Ann Zhang, Raz Moayed.
Bottom Row (left to right): Melissa Leslie, Lily Scher.

Seniors hoping to walk in May face altered plans as COVID-19 spreads

By Dana Gerber, Assistant Enterprise Editor / March 25, 2020

Senior Tatiana Melendez found out there wouldn't be a traditional 2020 Commencement weekend only a week after her ELA classes moved online and she had...

Soledad O'Brien speaking to graduates during 2019's commencement ceremony.

Sit Down with Commencement Speaker Soledad O’Brien

By Anissa Gardizy / May 12, 2019

Television journalist Soledad O’Brien delivered the college’s 2019 Commencement speech and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Sunday....

Billy Collins, a renowned American poet, will speak at the class of 2018 commencement in May. Photo courtesy of Michelle Gaseau.

U.S. poet to speak at undergraduate commencement

By Maya Gacina / April 11, 2018

The college named Billy Collins, the former official poet of the United States under the George W. Bush administration, to deliver the undergraduate class...