The culminating moment of any degree program is Commencement — that ceremony at which your educational accomplishments are celebrated and you symbolically step into the next phase of your life. The moment in which you all officially become alumni of Shenandoah and move on into the world to do great things.
As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we celebrate in many ways, but it has not altered our commitment to celebrate you! Our goal continues to be for you to walk across the University Commencement stage in May in person.
We are planning to hold multiple in-person University Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 22, and Sunday, May 23 to ensure that you can walk across that stage and have some of your loved ones present.
We anticipate having multiple ceremonies to allow for appropriate social distancing among participants. The size of each gathering has yet to be determined, as does the number and timing of the ceremonies. We expect to have more information by Monday, March 1; we must wait until then to see what limits the governor has put on gatherings in Virginia.
Our university community worked together admirably during the fall semester to maintain an in-person education for as many students as possible — and also to conduct in-person Commencement ceremonies for those who graduated last year.
We look forward to continuing to do so this spring. We believe that with regular COVID-19 testing; a continued dedication to mask wearing, hand washing, physical distancing and symptom checking among us all; and the impact of the COVID-19 vaccination program, we can offer a safe and joyous in-person Commencement celebration for each of our graduates this May.
Can’t wait to celebrate with you!
