As the semester winds down, colleges and universities across the country are making plans for fall commencement ceremonies.
However, as new COVID-19 cases reach over 200,000 a day in the United States, many institutions are choosing to either cancel their ceremonies or host them remotely.
At Chicago State University (CSU), the virtual commencement in December will celebrate spring, summer and fall graduates.
“We actually cancelled the ceremony last spring,” said Dr. William Raynovich, associate professor in CSU’s music department. “The pandemic shutdown was severe in Chicago making the ceremony impossible to do. The College of Pharmacy did have a hooding ceremony of sorts, and in watching that ceremony, we have been improving the commencement ceremony for this celebration.”
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was named as this year’s commencement speaker. While in office, Lightfoot, Chicago’s first Black female mayor, established the Racial Equity Rapid Response Team as well as the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force to address COVID-19. She also plans to raise Chicago’s minimum wage to $15 by 2021.
Remarks will also be made by CSU President Zaldwaynaka Scott, and faculty and administrators will offer congratulatory messages to graduates in a video montage.
“The commencement committee is doing all it can to make this a special moment,” said Raynovich, who is also the Grand Marshall of Commencement for CSU. “We really understand that these are unprecedented times. We are doing our best to create a special experience for the students.”
