ISU and IWU announce cancellation of commencement ceremonies

Posted on March 20, 2020
Illinois State University will hold a virtual commencement ceremony for Spring 202 graduates. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – Due to COVID-19, Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan are canceling commencement ceremonies.

“In lieu of the originally scheduled commencement ceremonies on May8-9, Illinois State will present ceremonies online to recognize the achievements of the 2020 spring and summer graduates,” said Illinois State Officials in a news release. “These will include remarks by President Dietz and other Illinois State officials along with an opportunity for students to submit photos for virtual ceremony recognition. In addition, each graduate will receive a commencement program book and diploma cover by mail.”

ISU is also inviting Spring and Summer 2020 graduates to participate in person in the winter commencement ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12.

Additionally, IWU will move to online classes for the remainder of the semester.

“We recognize this decision will be a great disappointment for our students, we were looking forward to returning to campus and reconnecting with faculty and friends,” IWU President Georgia Nugent. “I am particularly pained by what this means for our seniors and their expectations at this time.”

Originally scheduled for May 10, IWU is currently looking for alternatives for commencement ceremonies.

“These are unprecedented times, and obviously not the experiences that any of us were anticipating,” added President Georgia Nugent. “But our faculty and staff are hard at work in finding new and creative ways to stay connected with our students and to continue their education, although in with the same close attention that Illinois Wesleyan can distinctively deliver.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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