At a glance
As COVID-19 continues to present challenges to holding in-person events, particularly with large gatherings of people, Alfred State College is announcing that it will honor graduates this year through hosting a virtual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 8.
As COVID-19 continues to present challenges to holding in-person events, particularly with large gatherings of people, Alfred State College is announcing that it will honor graduates this year through hosting a virtual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 8.
“Commencement is a major achievement in the lives of our students, and we are so very proud of each of them for reaching this milestone,” said Alfred State College President Dr. Skip Sullivan. “I commend each graduate on all of their hard work and the dedication they have shown to their studies, particularly through such a challenging time. While we would prefer to host a traditional in-person commencement ceremony, we feel that the best course of action given the present circumstances is to recognize graduates in a virtual environment, which will also allow us to safely and responsibly celebrate with friends and family. We thank everyone for their cooperation and understanding and we look forward to highlighting the success of our Alfred State graduates!”
While a traditional ceremony will not be taking place, Alfred State is still planning additional activities to provide ways to celebrate and commemorate this significant occasion. One such event is the new “Grad Walk” opportunity, in which students will dress in their cap and gown, walk the stage, and gain the traditional graduation photos before the big day. This event will be livestreamed because the college will not be able to host family members in person. Multiple Grad Walks will be scheduled during evening hours in April.
As with the 2020 virtual commencement, Alfred State will be proud to include photos of grads during this year’s ceremony. The college will use professional photos taken from the Grad Walk, in which students are photographed in full regalia with President Sullivan on stage.
Students are also allowed to submit photos to commencement@alfredstate.edu by April 1. Everyone who sends a photo or participates in the Grad Walk is eligible for a drawing of a car that has been detailed by the Automotive Trades Department, courtesy of the Educational Foundation of Alfred, Inc.
Further details will continue to be added to https://www.alfredstate.edu/commencement as the commencement date nears, including the link to join the festivities.
