Commencement plans at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH) have been finalized, with the annual event to have a new look as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Robin Myers, ASUMH chancellor, says graduates will have the option to receive their diplomas and certificates by participating in both live and virtual ceremonies.
The event is set for Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m until 2 p.m. both days. An evening session will also be conducted for any graduate who could not make it to one of the daytime sessions. The evening session will be on Thursday from 5:30 to 7.
Graduates will be invited to drive to the Roller portico. Family members may accompany them in the vehicle. Graduates will be allowed to step out of the vehicle in the portico. Their caps and gowns will be ready for them to put on. Once dressed, graduates will step over to the presentation area, where Dr. Myers will award them their diploma or certificate.
The activity will be photographed for use in the virtual ceremony. Family members may also film or photograph from the vehicle. Graduates will then reenter their vehicles and will be free to move to another spot on campus for family photos, if they choose.
Myers says this ceremony will provide a unique experience for ASUMH’s graduates, while also conforming to the current social distancing guidelines.
Those graduates unable to participate will have their diploma available for pickup at a later date.
As the traditional commencement month of May continues, Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is announcing additional lightings of the Dean B. Ellis Library clock tower in recognition of students who are graduating this month.
Photo: Dean B. Ellis Library, ASU Jonesboro
In addition to local area high schools, A-State will recognize its own spring 2020 graduates and those of its sister campuses in the Arkansas State University System.
“We are using this means to recognize each of these schools and the graduating students’ achievements,” Chancellor Kelly Damphousse says. This recognition is particularly important this year because the spring commencement ceremonies had to be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Wednesday, the library tower will be lighted in green to recognize ASU-Mountain Home.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI