Salem State To Hold First Full Commencement In 3 Years

SALEM, MA — The Salem State University commencement ceremonies will have a familiar feel for the first time in three years when they take place on May 19-21.

The school will hold traditional graduation ceremonies for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 health crisis when it celebrates the class of 2022 and delivers three honorary degrees at the O'Keef Complex.

Salem State University will return to its traditional commencement ceremony format this year for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will cross the stage in five separate celebrations on May 19, 20 and 21 in the university’s O’Keefe Complex.

Salem State alumnus Rapper, cartoonist and social acitivist Keith Knight; Eastern Bank Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board Bob Rivers; and LVCC, Inc. President and CEO Pamela Scott, who also served on Salem State’s Board of Trustees as member and chair. will address graduates and receive honorary doctorate degrees.

"This year's honorary degree recipients have not only seen resounding success in their careers, but they have used their platforms as megaphones to drive social change," President John D. Keenan said. "These honorees exemplify what it means to have a voice and give back. They demonstrate the kind of commitment to activism and engagement that we encourage in our students, and that so many of our students, alumni, faculty and staff embody."

Salem State was forced to cancel its commencement in 2020 at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis two years ago and last year held ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and 2021 at reduced occupancy.

"There are few events as enjoyable as coming together to recognize our students' success," Keenan said. "The class of 2022 has overcome so much to cross the stage this spring, and I'm excited to welcome our graduates and their friends and family to celebrate this accomplishment with our larger Viking community."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)