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Elizabethtown College has decided to host both a virtual commencement celebration as well as a later, on-campus celebration for the Class of 2020.
The virtual commencement ceremony will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, and will be viewable at the College’s website, www,etown.edu.
“I think it’s nice that the school is doing commencement virtually in May, it’s a nice bittersweet alternative to the one we can’t have anymore,” senior Michael Snyder said in an email interview. “I appreciate the steps people are taking to ensure graduation still happens even though it won’t ever be the same way it should be.”
According to an email announcement about the virtual commencement, the event will include a live address from President McCormick, and a speech from the Board of Trustees Chairman Bon Dolan, and Etown alumnus Daniel Jones ‘97.
“I appreciate that the College is willing to host two ceremonies, especially since many of us were looking forward to being recognized for our achievements in May,” senior Sara Allocco said in an email interview. “Though I am looking forward to the virtual commencement, I am a bit confused as to how everything will go. This is uncharted territory for everyone, however, so we will have to wait and see.”
The on-campus commencement has been tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, October 11, provided the CDC guidelines rule it safe to do so. The weekend is also the weekend of Etown’s Homecoming celebrations.
“My only concern about the on campus commencement exercises is that they will take place during a weekend that is known to be quite busy,” Allocco said. “I’m not so sure how everything will go in terms of logistics.”
“As for the October graduation, I like it and I think along with homecoming it should be a fun weekend,” Snyder said. “I think a September ceremony would have also been nice and it would give me an additional weekend to come back and see my friends who will still be at Etown.”
More details about the on-campus commencement will be released closer to the date.
