By CBJ News Staff
news@corridorbusiness.com
Kirkwood Community College will hold an online virtual commencement ceremony for its 2020 graduates at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16.
The virtual ceremony was announced following the cancellation of Kirkwood’s annual in-person commencement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kirkwood utilized MarchingOrder, a company specializing in virtual graduation ceremonies, to recognize the achievements of graduates while still respecting social distancing guidelines.
Visitors will be able to access the event by going to www.kirkwood.edu. A link to the online ceremony will be posted on Kirkwood’s main page. They will hear remarks from college administration, faculty, and a student speaker. In addition, individualized profiles will recognize each graduate participating in the virtual ceremony and congratulations and well wishes will be given from Kirkwood community members and students.
According to Kirkwood President Lori Sundberg, the event will give graduates and their loved ones a chance to celebrate their achievements despite unprecedented circumstances.
“Commencement is the biggest event at Kirkwood every year,” Ms. Sundberg said in a news release. “This is the day that everyone at the college works toward, from students to faculty and staff to administration. For our students, graduation is the reward at the end of a long journey. It’s important to celebrate and recognize an accomplishment of that magnitude – even in uncertain times.”
This year, 1,895 Kirkwood students will be graduating with a credential. Of that number, the college expects more than 400 to participate in the online virtual ceremony. CBJ
