Arcadia University graduates its largest class this week, with a total of 515 students earning bachelor’s degrees and 521 earning master’s and doctoral degrees.

At the Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 21, at 10:15 a.m. on Kuch Field, approximately 483 students will walk across the stage, each handed his or her diploma with a handshake from President Jerry Greiner. At the Graduate Commencement on Thursday, May 20, at 5 p.m. on Kuch Field, approximately 350 students will personally accept their diplomas and congratulations.

At the end of each ceremony, Arcadia faculty and administrators will form the traditional Honor Guard through which the students will march, often stopping for handshakes and hugs from faculty.

“It is a tradition at Arcadia for the faculty to form an Honor Guard to salute the new alumni,” notes Greiner, who along with faculty and administrators remains on the field so that graduates and their families can take personal photos.”

“Some students linger longer than others. Tom Sciascia ’86 and Loren Shuman Sciascia ’86 still hold the record,” notes Georgene Pilling, Director of Alumni Relations. As dusk set behind Murphy Hall on the day of their graduation in 1985, the two were still on campus, hanging out in Murphy, where they had taken many courses together.

After graduation, they married and started a marketing business called Gargoyle Communications. “In 2001, they created The Painted Truffle, and they have shared their passion for art and chocolate with students in Scott Rawlin’s classes and alumni at events many times since,” adds Pilling.

In case of severe weather, the ceremony will be held in the Kuch Center Alumni Gymnasium. The decision regarding location will be made around 8:30 a.m. on the day of the ceremony. Information on location can be obtained the morning of the ceremony at www.arcadia.edu.