Dear members of the Methodist University community,
I write to share the disappointing news that we will not be able to hold in-person baccalaureate and commencement celebrations in December. Instead, we will hold a virtual ceremony and recognition of our December graduates.
As you know, we had hoped to hold these ceremonies with our May 2020 and December 2020 graduates at the Crown Center on December 12. Unfortunately, the continued threat of high levels of COVID-19 transmission, combined with the height of cold and flu season, make holding an in-person, indoor event with hundreds of participants unwise, imprudent, and unsafe. Protecting the health and safety of our students, their families, their home communities, our staff, and our faculty is our highest order of concern in making this decision.
Later today, December graduates will receive specific information from the Office of the Registrar with details on how to order regalia and when to expect home delivery of diplomas and diploma covers. In the coming weeks, we will share information with the entire MU community on the virtual baccalaureate and celebration of December graduates.
If we are able to hold an in-person ceremony in May 2021, we will welcome the participation of all 2020 graduates.
I thank you all for your commitment to creating a safe campus and a safe fall semester for all.
Sincerely,
Stanley T. Wearden, Ph.D.
President