Graduation ceremony rescheduled for August
*This story was updated on Tuesday March 24, at 9:46 p.m.
*This story is ongoing and will include updates as more information becomes available.
Utah State University announced Monday that commencement would be held on Aug. 28-29, providing circumstances allow.
USU previously said commencement would not take place at the end of April as originally planned.
“I am over the moon,” senior Tarren Jessop said. “But I do feel it’s important to stress we will only get this chance if we all do our part in slowing the spread of the virus.”
Jessop orchestrated a survey sent around social media to seniors seeking their input on whether they’d like a postponed graduation and how far in advance they would be willing to return to Logan.
While some were excited about the date change, others did not receive it as well.
“I most likely will not be here, and I probably won’t make the trip to attend later,” senior Kimmie Stewart said.
For others the disappointment is still there.
“The date change means not getting to celebrate with my family like I already planned,” Kaylyn Patenaude said. “I don’t have closure in this season of my life. I am not even sure I can come back for graduation.”
Statewide campuses will also be planning graduation events for the first two weeks in September. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Friday March 20, 8:21 a.m.
Kimmie Stewart was overcome with disappointment when her phone lit up with a notification from Utah State University: graduation was canceled.
“I was hoping they would wait to announce until April like they said they would,” she said.
Utah State University announced Wednesday it would cancel its 133rd commencement ceremony. The announcement came less than a week after USU moved all classes online and shut down many university events and facilities.
After classes moved online, University President Noelle Cockett sent out a letter to students and faculty stating that a decision about graduation would be made by April. Many students were still hoping that graduation could happen.
“Unfortunately, this is a done deal at this point,” USU Public Information Officer Emilie Wheeler said. “No school in Utah will be having a graduation ceremony this spring.”
Some were still surprised by the university’s response.
“When the university first decided to go online, I thought commencement would still happen,” senior Ethan Maul said. Maul is set to graduate in April with a degree in electrical engineering.
“As the week went on, it started to seem less likely, but I was surprised the decision was made so soon,” he said. “It seemed like a quick and slightly irrational response.”
Others began preparing themselves for the disappointment.
“As more developments concerning the nation’s status were received, the postponing of graduation was something I anticipated,” senior Tarren Jessop said. “I would be happy to wait for however long it may take to get the full experience though, and I know many other seniors feel the same way.”
Jessop is graduating with degrees in psychology and sociology.
“We will definitely be having some sort of celebration,” Wheeler said. “We are not going to let our seniors go without something to commemorate their time here.”
Wheeler said it is still not certain what an end-of-year celebration would look like. She said it may be different departments having a ceremony, or there may be some sort of reception for all seniors.
“The big question for us is when we will be able to do it,” Wheeler said. “We don’t want to plan something too soon and then have to cancel.”
For the seniors graduating however, being able to walk is an important milestone.
“It means everything to me!” Jessop said. “As a first-generation student, this would be the first college graduation ceremony my family attends. It’s something I have dreamed of my entire life.”
Maul said it’s not as big a deal for him, but he was still looking forward to it.
“Not having the ceremony means I don’t have a defining moment where I feel I am done with my undergraduate degree,” Maul said. “It’s very anticlimactic.”
Stewart, who is graduating with a degree in international studies, said she’s trying to look at this from an optimistic standpoint.
“I realized I was most looking forward to the chance to celebrate with family and close friends,” she said. “This is something I can still do and look forward to.”
Wheeler said the university has received quite a bit of feedback about graduation being canceled and said USU “shares in the sadness and the anger.”
“Most have been understanding,” Wheeler said. “We also want everyone to know we didn’t do this immediately because we didn’t want to make rash decisions and wanted to align with other institutions.”
Wheeler also wanted to inform students that caps and gowns can still be purchased from the campus store. However, no one will be charged until the university finalizes its plans for end-of-year celebrations.
@cripe_taylor