For college students, many with either virtual or hybrid classes had to make a decision about whether or not they wanted to return back to campus. Over at Penn State Behrend they say that many of their typical on campus students decided to stay home because all of their classes were online. But the future is looking up for college students. With COVID restrictions getting lifted on the last day in May, this has many students and faculty at Behrend excited for the fall semester.  This hopefully means they can welcome back more students to campus, along with holding events that were canceled because of the virus. Bill Gonda is the Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the college and says they're excited going into the fall.

"I think the overall feeling is one of hopefulness. That we can return to normal or as near normal as possible, we have to see what that means in terms of masking and social distancing," says Gonda. 

That excitement and hopefulness spilled over to Penn State Behrend's campus. Students and faculty say they're ready for some ounce of normalcy.

"Many of us are anxious to return to all of the activity we see on campus, not just a portion of the activity we're seeing right now," says Gonda. 

Rachel Pier is a student at Behrend. 

"I joke that I'm not a "Jenior" because I'm not quite a junior not quite a senior," says Pier. 

She graduates in December. While she's been on campus she's worked as a tour guide showing the campus to prospective students. But because of COVID that had to change.

"It's one thing when you're giving a virtual tour and you're seeing your fellow tour guides and you're talking and showing pictures. But when you can actually look someone in the eye and make that connection it's even better," says Pier. 

With restrictions looking to get lifted at the end of month, Pier says shes excited for one hopeful possibility. 

"Oh gosh, I really really really want to be able to walk because that's a feat in itself, just to be able to graduate early so to be able to, I have my fingers crossed," says Pier. 

Penn State Behrend is holding an in person graduation ceremony this weekend for all students who graduated in 2021.