University of Dubuque to Hold First Virtual Commencements
May 13, 2020 | University Relations staff
DUBUQUE, Iowa – For the first time in its 168-year history, University of Dubuque will hold virtual commencement ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of over 350 graduates.
Since the campus cannot gather in-person because of the pandemic, UD officials decided to hold virtual commencements for undergraduate and graduate students in the Class of 2020 on Saturday, May 16, 2020 – the original date for May Commencement. The Spartan community is invited to gather virtually and celebrate UD’s first-ever virtual commencement ceremonies!
Seminary Virtual Commencement will premiere at 9:30 a.m. on www.facebook.com/UDTSeminary, www.facebook.com/UDubuque, and www.youtube.com/UDBQMedia. Twenty-two University of Dubuque Theological Seminary students will receive degrees and seven will earn certificates.
Undergraduate Virtual Commencement will premiere next at 1 p.m. on www.facebook.com/UDubuque and www.youtube.com/UDBQMedia. During the ceremony, 281 undergraduate students will receive their degrees virtually.
Graduate Virtual Commencement will premiere at 2 p.m. on www.facebook.com/UDubuque and www.youtube.com/UDBQMedia. Sixty-seven graduate students will have degrees conferred upon them.
Teams in the Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Office of the Registrar, and Office of University Relations worked to create these personalized virtual commencements. UD graduating students were encouraged to upload Bitmojis that will accept their diplomas from a Bitmoji President Jeffrey F. Bullock inside a virtual Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center. They also were invited to record a personal message that will be shared.
In addition, regalia was mailed to graduating students and they received a Commencement in a Box that included a diploma cover, Flat Sparty, UD car cling, confetti popper, and more.
Virtual commencements aren’t the only way to celebrate. Graduating students can return to campus to participate in December 2020 Commencement or May 2021 Commencement. Also, the Office of Alumni Engagement will celebrate the Class of 2020 at Homecoming on Oct. 24, 2020.
For more information, please visit bit.ly/2020UDgrad.
