May is graduation season, the time when over 2,100 students are graduating from Â鶹ŮÀÉ. Instead, due to COVID-19, Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s in-person commencement has been changed to a virtual ceremony set for June.
“Graduation is really a special moment,” Vice President of Student Services Dr. Colleen Simpson said. “We didn’t want this time to go by without celebrating the class of 2020 and their great achievements.”
Â鶹ŮÀÉ is recognizing its talented students with a tribute to the class of 2020 which is set to launch on the College’s social media and website today, May 12, 2020. The social media celebration will engage the entire community in congratulating graduates on their academic achievement.
The College is also celebrating grads with a special event - the Grad Bash and Professional Photo Opportunity. The event will be held Friday, June 5, on the Green Bay, Marinette, and Sturgeon Bay campuses.
“This graduating class has persevered through a situation like no other,” Â鶹ŮÀÉ President Dr. Jeff Rafn said. “It hasn’t been easy. We are so proud of all of our graduates for sticking with us through this unprecedented time.”
“We believe that this experience will help our students celebrate graduation with their families and friends virtually until we can celebrate in-person again,” Student Involvement Manager Megan Popkey said.
The College is planning a virtual graduation ceremony for June 26. Students will receive more information about the virtual ceremony in the coming week. .
“We understand how important the commencement ceremony is for graduates and for Â鶹ŮÀÉ staff and faculty,” Popkey said. “We are trying to do what is best for everyone’s health and well-being as we navigate through this time.”
All Â鶹ŮÀÉ 2020 graduates are invited to walk at the December graduation on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the Resch Center, provided large gatherings of thousands of people can continue at that time.
Students scheduled to graduate this semester will still earn their degrees and receive their diplomas in the mail prior to the June 26 virtual graduation ceremony.
Cap and gowns will be for sale online beginning May 19 through mid-June. Cap and gowns are available for purchase May 19 to 21 at a discounted price of $5 and will be available at full price after May 21. Reduced prices are subsidized by Â鶹ŮÀÉ Student Senate.
“All of us at Â鶹ŮÀÉ have a deep sense of admiration for our graduating class,” Simpson said. “We know how much it takes to get here. Our graduates deserve to be recognized for working hard toward the goal of earning a College degree, which means so much to them and to their families.”
