Westminster College will host its 2021 graduation ceremonies in person, dividing commencement into three groups, according to an email sent out to students Wednesday.
The ceremonies will be held outside on the Dumke Field with two guests allotted per student. The college will also live-stream the event for those who cannot attend in person.
“We hope to make each of these events impactful while keeping everyone safe from the COVID virus,” said Glenn Smith, interim dean of students, in the email announcement. “We are working on details for hooding of graduate students and pinning of all levels of nursing students.”
Commencement ceremonies will be split into the following three time periods:
- School of Nursing and Health Sciences: Friday, May 7 at 3 p.m.
- School of Arts and Sciences: Saturday, May 8 at 10 a.m.
- Gore School of Business and the School of Education: Saturday, May 8 at 3 p.m.
The announcement comes as several colleges across the state have contemplated how to address commencement amid the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as graduation ceremonies were largely canceled or postponed for the class of 2020.
Westminster hosted a drive-thru graduation ceremony for the class of 2020 during the Fall semester, but Smith told The Forum earlier in February that the college would be looking toward a more traditional way to celebrate its graduates.
Commencement organizers will continue to plan the event, implementing public health guidelines to ensure “safe, socially-distanced ceremonies.”
“Westminster will do all we can to make Commencement a memorable day for graduates and families,” Smith said. “Please save the date now and expect more details to come.”
