College community,

Just a few moments ago, I distributed an announcement to our students indicating that I have decided to delay our 2020 Commencement ceremony.

We all likely recognized several weeks ago that we would find ourselves in this position, even while holding out the slimmest of hopes we could go forward as planned.

I treasure our end-of-year recognition events. Each year at Commencement, I am moved by our graduates’ joy, as well the pride I see in your eyes as our newly minted graduates recess past you and accept your applause for a job well done. There are many others, from our Board of Trustees to our friends in the community, who also look forward to that most special event.

For those reasons, and others, I truly wish that we could celebrate in our customary way, at our customary time. But, clearly our priority now is to slow the spread of COVID-19 and preserve our own health, as well as the health of our College community, our friends and our neighbors. We are all in this together.

I’m hopeful we can find a suitable way to virtually recognize the Class of 2020 in late May, while also investigating the potential timing of an in-person Commencement ceremony later in the year. I’ve been working with Student Government, headed by Danna Nieves Velazquez, on possible alternatives and I promise to share all additional details as they are finalized.

Thank you again for your efforts in educating and supporting our students from a distance this Spring.

Regards,

Kris