The University of Wyoming will replace traditional commencement ceremonies in May for a live virtual ceremony, due to safety concerns of COVID-19.
The university will be broadcasting a live virtual ceremony on Saturday, May 16, for 2020 graduates and their families.
“Our main goal is to really still provide a profound ceremonial performance even in a virtual format” Said Kim Chestnut, vice president of student affairs, “So that even though we cannot be together for the full pomp and circumstance, we still will be doing a very formal ceremony.”
Graduates can choose to receive a free “commencement care package,” said Chestnut. Within those packages, undergraduates can expect to receive a mortarboard tassel or any corresponding honor chords, and graduates can expect to receive a hood and tam. All packages will include, and a program which coincides with the virtual ceremony and the alumni welcome letter and commemorative pen.
Instead of the typical three spring ceremonies, Chestnut said all the formal services would be condensed into one 45-minute program.
“We will still have our president, Doctor Neil Theobald provide a statement, we will have a keynote speaker with a relevant message, we will have our varying deans provide words to the students who are graduating from their colleges, and we will still do a board of trustees member or two who confirms the degrees” Said Chestnut.
While UW staff is still in the planning phases, more details about the virtual commencement’s speakers and schedule can be expected in the next few weeks.
“We have perhaps half or better of our speakers confirmed, and we are just confirming the others, and once we have a schedule, we will release it to the rest of campus,” said Chestnut.
Students will also have the ability to attend future commencement ceremonies that will take place in the winter of 2020 or spring of 2021. Graduates who are interested in future ceremonies will work directly with the commencement coordinator; once a notice is sent out in the winter and next spring season.
The budget intended for 2020 commencement ceremonies, will instead be put towards providing graduates with commencement packages. Chestnut said she expects the full budget to be used toward the commencement care packages for graduates.
“If for some reason, that isn’t the case [the budget being fully used], we have conceptualized doing a commemorative something on campus for this graduating class, but as of now, we expect it to be fully put to use.” Said Chestnut.
“I really had to sit for a long time with president Theobald about making this decision, as he and I both were really challenged to come to this conclusion because we just strongly believe in the ceremony, but when you look at all the health implications, this really is the best choice.” Said Chestnut.
Chestnut said she wants to encourage students to participate in the virtual commencement ceremony to recognize and commemorate their achievements.
“I know that it feels to some that commencement has been canceled, but it hasn’t; it has just been transitioned, and we are still doing our best to make it a compelling experience,” Said Chestnut.
