CHARLESTON, WV (WOAY) – Stating that “Of all of the decisions we have had to make during the COVID-19 crisis, changing the May 2020 commencement and related professional ceremonies was one of the toughest,” UC President Martin Roth announced that the University of Charleston will be unable to hold its traditional graduation ceremonies this spring.
Instead, UC graduates are being given two options. They can choose to postpone participating in a ceremony until December, when UC holds its winter graduation. Any May 2020 graduate that would like to walk across the stage, shake hands with the President, and experience a UC graduation ceremony with family and friends on campus is welcome to participate. All professional school hooding and pinning ceremonies are also being rescheduled for December. More details will become available as social restrictions change.
Or, graduating students can choose to participate in a virtual graduation. The university will broadcast a Virtual Commencement on May 2nd. This will allow students returning home or starting a new job and unable to participate in December with the opportunity to be virtually recognized for their achievements and share their well-earned accomplishment with family and friends.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito will offer a virtual commencement address, as will the Outstanding Senior and the Outstanding Graduate Student. Students are being asked to send a photo to be included in the ceremony.
“All of us look forward to the day when our students walk across the stage in their regalia, receive their well-earned diploma, hear the cheers from family and friends, and celebrate this important milestone,” stated Roth. “We pledge to make it remain special…and while it will not be the ceremony we were all expecting, we will still celebrate graduation at UC.”
There are just over 700 students eligible for graduation at UC this spring – 461 undergraduate students and 247 graduate students. This includes both in seat and online programs. More information can be found on the university’s website www.ucwv.edu/commencement/.
