On March 27, President Roger Casey sent an email to members of the class of 2020 to formally announce that the May 23 commencement ceremonies, for both the undergraduate and graduate classes, would be canceled.
Additionally, the associated senior week activities, ROTC commissioning ceremony, candlelight processional, and senior investiture and honors convocation will no longer take place on their planned dates.
According to Casey, the College tried to postpone the decision as long as possible, as this is the last grouping of events to be canceled, but “because of the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the planning required by the College and many families to attend,” it was deemed necessary to make the call to cancel the events.
Casey also assured students that though the ceremony would not be taking place on that day, students who complete their degree requirements will still receive their diplomas in June.
There are also plans in place to develop an alternate celebration “once we know what is safe and possible,” though no additional details have been shared at this point in time.
In closing, Casey assured students “that McDaniel will continue to support you every step of the way as you make your transition to post-college life.”
