Towson University To Have Week Of In-Person Commencement Ceremonies In May

Press release from Towson University:

March 15, 2021

Towson University announced Monday a week of in-person Commencement ceremonies for
May 17–21, at Johnny Unitas® Stadium. These events will include graduates from the
spring 2020, winter 2020 and spring 2021 classes. Graduates and guests will have the
option of attending in-person or observing virtually through a live stream.

The announcement was made by President Kim Schatzel, Provost Melanie Perreault and deans of the university’s
colleges.

“We are thrilled to share the plans for TU’s spring Commencement celebration,” the message read. “We’re proud of all our graduates
have accomplished, and we’re eager to celebrate these achievements.”

Working in consultation with the TU Commencement committee, COVID-19 Response Leadership
Team, TU Medical Advisory Committee and the Baltimore County Department of Health,
TU is giving graduates the opportunity to choose an outdoor ceremony. This is also
in response to a student survey conducted in fall 2020 that overwhelmingly supported
an in-person celebration.

Additional opportunities for feedback will be available to Commencement candidates
through subsequent messages.

Celebration week guidelines will encourage physical distancing and compliance to gathering
restrictions. TU will hold multiple ticketed ceremonies during Commencement week.
Graduates attending in-person will receive four tickets for family and friends. Each
day’s schedule will be released in the coming weeks.

This will be just the second time in the 21st century TU will utilize the stadium
for a Commencement ceremony. Graduates will be on the field, while families and friends
will be seated in the bleachers. The ceremonies will include speakers, while the stage
party size will be reduced to help the physical distancing and reduced density of
the participants as well.

Graduates will be emailed information and survey opportunities to help us prepare
for celebration are encouraged to check the information page for degree candidates. Plans are being made in accordance with current local and state health guidelines.
Should circumstances change, TU will modify plans and communicate to graduates as
soon as possible.

The emailed announcement to the community said, "We’re proud of all our graduates
have accomplished, and we’re eager to celebrate these achievements. We’ll be sharing
additional information regarding accommodations, the specific times for ceremonies
and more via the Commencement website as we get closer to the celebrations. We can’t
wait to celebrate in person!"

This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.