Dear Worcester State community,
I write to inform you the Board of Trustees officially conferred degrees for the Class of 2020 at their meeting held Tuesday, June 2, and to provide an update on the commencement ceremonies planned for this summer.
The global pandemic has created logistical challenges for Worcester State University in planning its year-end celebrations. We rescheduled the 2020 undergraduate commencement ceremony to August 14, where we anticipated welcoming graduates, family, and friends to the DCU Center to witness the achievements of our students after four years or more of dedication and hard work. However, due to the changing nature of the public health crisis and the uncertainty of our ability to hold Commencement in the manner in which we are accustomed, we have made the difficult decision — in consultation with the senior class committee and informed by a senior class survey — to move the 2020 undergraduate commencement ceremony to a virtual event. While I know this is disappointing news, we believe this is the best alternative that will allow us to offer a celebratory event while protecting the health and well-being of all participants.
Our virtual undergraduate commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at 10 a.m. In the event that other obligations prevent participation on this designated day and time, the virtual ceremony will be archived and available for future viewing. We are planning to make this virtual commencement a memorable experience for all undergraduate students and families. I appreciate your resilience and continued patience as we work to finalize your culminating event with Worcester State University.
As it pertains to our graduate commencement ceremony, there is no change for this event, which is currently planned to take place on Friday, August 28 at 6 p.m. We will continue to monitor the state requirements concerning gathering sizes for events. While our graduate ceremony is smaller in scope and size than our undergraduate commencement ceremony, we will keep our graduate students apprised should the global pandemic require us to make adjustments.
Be well and take care. Please do not hesitate to email me directly at presidentsoffice@worcester.edu [1] should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Barry M. Maloney,
President