Dear Graduates,
When I announced that Wright State University had to postpone its spring 2020 commencement ceremony, I promised that we would hold an in-person event to celebrate with you and your families.
I regret to inform you that due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Wright State will not be able to hold an in-person commencement ceremony for the spring Class of 2020. Unfortunately, large gatherings are still prohibited by the State of Ohio and all official in-person university events remain postponed.
I would like to invite you to participate in a virtual commencement ceremony on Saturday, October 24, at 10 a.m.
The ceremony will celebrate Dayton Campus Spring 2020 graduates and Lake Campus Summer 2019 through Spring 2020 graduates.
More information about the virtual commencement will be available soon. It will include remarks from myself, interim Provost Leaman, Faculty Senate President Laura Luehrmann, college deans, and others. The name of every graduate will be read immediately following the ceremony.
To make the event inclusive and fun, we would like to get a photo of YOU in your graduation apparel or Wright State gear. Submitted photos may be used during the virtual experience, on the website, and/or university social media. Please email your photo to graduation@wright.edu no later than September 27.
I know this news is not what you wanted to hear, and I apologize to each of you and your families. The overwhelming majority of graduating students told us in the spring you did not want a virtual graduation ceremony. A committee of students, faculty, and staff worked for months on contingency plans for some form of face-to-face celebration. But as we entered the Fall Semester, I decided it was more important to hold a virtual event before the end of the year to celebrate our graduates and your hard work.
Commencement is a very special day for all graduating students and their families. Together we will do our best to make October 24 a day to celebrate. I hope you will join me and the Wright State University community online.
Best wishes,
Sue
