Dear Students,
I’m reaching out with an update on our plans for Commencement 2021 and to share that we have made the very difficult but necessary decision to hold a virtual commencement for 2021.
We made this decision out of our care and responsibility for your health and safety and that of our community, which has consistently been our highest priority during this pandemic. Due to the current travel and quarantine restrictions in the state of Vermont, the uncertain trajectory of the virus, and the timing of the vaccination roll-out, we will not be able to bring together people from all over the country this May.
That said, we are excited to celebrate YOU with a joyful, meaningful, personal, and memorable virtual commencement ceremony that marks this momentous achievement and captures the spirit of your class and your time at Champlain. This will take place on May 15, 2021, and will include speakers from your class and the community, the reading of names of every graduating student, send-offs from your Champlain faculty, and much more. We have received feedback from many of you via our Commencement survey, and have invited the Student Government Association to help plan how we celebrate together, even if from afar. We will be reaching out to you for stories about your Champlain experience to make the ceremony special.
In the coming weeks, you will hear from the Registrar’s office about specific details and actions you will need to take leading up to Commencement, including ordering regalia, updating your information for your diploma, and more. We will keep the Commencement 2021 website updated with more information. If you have any questions, please contact us at graduation@champlain.edu.
We know this is not what you were hoping for when you first started your Champlain journey. We all look forward to a time when we can gather together in person. What the pandemic does not and cannot change is our pride in your accomplishments and our desire to honor your Champlain experience and your future success. I thank you for your understanding and look forward to celebrating you this May.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Ola. Akande, Ph.D.
President, Champlain College