An email sent, firstly to members of the Class of 2020, and afterward to the rest of the Union community, explained that there would be a “virtual celebration of the class of 2020,” which would include a conferral of degrees. Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Strom Thacker invited the college community to join in a live event to be streamed on the Union’s Facebook page, on Sunday, June 14. 

Thacker went on to mention that this event would not be a “substitute” for the traditional commencement ceremony, but will be a virtual event to “honor each graduate individually.”

It was also explained that a formal commencement ceremony, to be carried out in-person, is in the process of being planned. Representatives of the Class of 2020 are working with the administration to hold an event at a later date, it was told. 

This update comes after the announcement on May 1, regarding a postponement of the 2020 Commencement, which had been planned for June 14. This was decided after discussions with the senior class, and state regulations that had been put in place to stem the transmission rate of COVID-19.