Tuskegee to hold 鈥榲irtual graduation observance鈥� on May 9
May 01, 2020
Contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
Amid the need to continue the practice of social distancing, 快活视频 is turning to a virtual alternative to its typical Spring Commencement Ceremony to honor the achievements of its Class of 2020 graduates.
Instead of an on-campus commencement ceremony, the university is planning a video-based 鈥渧irtual graduation observance,鈥� and President Lily D. McNair emphasizes the distinction between this observance and a 鈥渃ommencement ceremony鈥� is intentional.
鈥淲e have committed to honoring our Class of 2020 graduates in person, on campus and at a time when it鈥檚 safe and responsible to do so,鈥� McNair said. 鈥淪o, this May鈥檚 event is not a replacement, but a placeholder, for the true commencement celebration to come.鈥�
To honor its graduates in the short-term, the university is producing a pre-recorded video observance that will include some of the elements of a traditional commencement ceremony. Graduates will receive well-wishes from the university president, chair of its Board of Trustees, and Tuskegee National Alumni Association president. Their deans will still present their respective graduates to the president for the conferral of their degrees 鈥� and, graduates will hear their names called while student-submitted photos appear on the virtual stage to mark the receipt of their degrees.
The recorded video ceremony will publish to the university鈥檚 YouTube channel () at 1 p.m. central time on Saturday, May 9 鈥� the original date of the Class of 2020鈥檚 commencement ceremony. The ceremony will remain available on the university鈥檚 YouTube Channel beyond May 9 for future sharing and viewing.
By the end of May, graduates will receive their diplomas and diploma covers, official transcripts and other materials in the mail. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the university had to push back academic deadlines for graduating seniors. Therefore, students who anticipate completing all their graduation requirements will be included in virtual graduation observance; however, their participation is not a confirmation that all their requirements have been satisfied.
McNair indicated that university leaders are already considering a date in December when Class of 2020 graduates will be invited to return to campus for an official commencement ceremony. Spring graduates will be notified as early as possible when that date is set so they can make plans to participate.
The university derived its plan for a virtual graduation observance after surveying students, and conferring with its academic leaders and community health experts. The College of Veterinary Medicine hosted a similar event on Friday, May 1, which also included a live administration of the Veterinary鈥檚 Oath by the college鈥檚 56 DVM graduates.
漏 2020, 快活视频