Dear members of the Class of 2020:
Our hearts and good wishes go out to you as you finish your final UMW semester. We know this is not the spring you imagined, but we want to make that up to you with a special series of events planned for October.
As I promised, we intend to hold a traditional UMW commencement ceremony for undergraduates and graduate students on the morning of Saturday, October 24, 2020. The ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Ball Circle, will be 167 days later than expected but filled with just as much pomp and splendor.
You may already have this date on your calendar to return to UMW, as it is Homecoming Weekend. Current students and alumni will look forward to welcoming you back to campus. So, there will be plenty of other activities planned for that time on campus, including Grad Ball, which will likely be held on Friday or Saturday evening.
Additional details will be forthcoming, but we wanted to get the big news out to you as soon as possible. Keep checking the Commencement web page.
And as much as all of us are eager to return to our regular activities, we still are living in a period of uncertainty, so I have to offer this proviso: If medical experts advise against an in person gathering of this size in October, alternative plans are being made to recognize your academic achievements and commencement.
Stay well – and know how very proud I am of you for the strength and resilience you have shown,
Troy Paino