Dear Students,

The most cherished and meaningful event celebrated on our campus every spring is commencement. It is our most revered tradition, one that’s been held on campus every year since 1874. This year’s graduating seniors–the Class of 2020–deserve nothing less than to have their names and achievements celebrated just as their predecessors have.

Since we announced the cancellation of our traditional May graduation ceremony, we have been dedicated to finding an alternative option for our students and their families. And though the spread of COVID-19 this semester may have temporarily halted that tradition, it in no way has changed our intention to honor our students and welcome them as Ursinus alumni. Today, we are pleased to share with all students a new three-tiered plan for an alternative commencement. This, of course, remains subject to change given the uncertain environment within which we still find ourselves. As in previous years, we’re committed to delivering diplomas to the homes of all graduating seniors this summer.

May 2020:
Beginning Friday, May 15, the college will offer a virtual program that illustrates the strong sense of community in this graduating class. Seniors will have the opportunity to walk through a “virtual gauntlet,” replicating one of the college’s unique events. Students and their families will be asked to submit photos and other personal reflections that ultimately tell their story as the Class of 2020, which will come together in a video scripted and co-produced by a few of your classmates. Surprise guests have agreed to join us, and they will reflect on our shared sense of community. The gauntlet will appear on our homepage all day on Saturday, May 16, while the full online program can be watched anytime you choose.

September 2020:
During Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, on Saturday, September 26, we will have a dedicated Class of 2020 tent for all returning graduates that will uniquely capture your experiences together on campus, while allowing for other ways for you to share new stories as recent Ursinus alumni.

October 2020:
On Sunday, October 18, we will be inviting all graduates and their families back to campus for an event that will culminate in the on-stage announcement of names and the conferring of diplomas. This will not replicate the traditional commencement ceremony, though many elements will carry over. We envision this an opportunity for the entire Ursinus family to gather once again. Perhaps most interestingly, a New York-based muralist has agreed to join us in October to begin translating our students’ stories into murals adorning our new Schellhase Commons, as well as a few other venues across campus. Our hope is that your lives and memories as Ursinus students will live forever across campus.

More details will be shared soon by the commencement working group, but we wanted all our students, and especially our seniors, to know that our 150-year story wouldn’t be the same without this chapter. And a special thank you to all seniors who answered the survey earlier this month. We hope this newer approach reflects your vision and your shared experiences as Ursinus Bears. We look forward to sharing in these occasions with you!

Sincerely,
President Blomberg
Garrett Bullock ’20, class president