On March 31, Chancellor Kelly Damphousse announced that A-State’s 2020 Spring Commencement ceremony will be postponed. As of now, the plan is to hold 2020 Spring Commencement on the same weekend as August Commencement, currently scheduled for August 7. Students who cannot attend the August ceremony are encouraged to walk at a future commencement in December 2020 or May 2021.
All graduates who have completed their degree requirements at the end of the Spring 2020 semester will have their diplomas mailed to them at the end of the semester.
“I know that this is a very disappointing announcement,” said Damphousse in an email sent to the campus body. “I have dreaded this moment for weeks. But the newly extended timeline on social distancing rules and the pandemic’s projected trajectory in Arkansas leave us with no other choice at this point.”
“While some schools are planning virtual ceremonies or outright canceling ceremonies, I personally believe that there is something very special about the physical act of walking across the stage, and I do not want our students and their families to lose that opportunity. Our faculty and staff also love the ceremony and enjoy seeing their students celebrate – almost as much as the students’ parents do. So we will preserve the ceremony so that we can all meet again one last time to celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments.”
Sumin Chae, a senior creative media production major from Anyang, Gyeonggi, Korea, said that “it is very sad to postpone the graduation. I can only stay here in the USA until the end of May because my I-20 will expire 30 days after graduation day. So the postponement means that I cannot attend any ceremony even though it is postponed.” When asked how this would affect her future plans, such as grad school, moving back home or internships, she said that “it does not affect my future plan because I can still get the graduation diploma.”
Candace Evans, academic advisor for the department of media and communication, was asked how the postponement of commencement will affect Intent to Graduate forms that must be turned in in order to receive a diploma. “As far as I know, we are still completing graduation paperwork,” said Evans. “So if you are anticipating graduation this spring submit your intent now. If you are looking to commence in August or December your intent is due at a later date.”
Categories: News
THE HERALD 
Leave a Reply