Lebanon Valley College will hold in-person commencement ceremonies for both the Classes of 2020 and 2021 this May.
The commencement announcement was one of several made by the college in a press release late last week.
The Class of 2020 Commencement will be held Saturday, May 22, and followed by the Class of 2021 Commencement on Sunday, May 23. Safety protocols will be in place, including social distancing for graduates attending the ceremonies in Sorrentino Gymnasium and a limit of up to two family members in attendance per graduate – family members will watch via live stream from a separate space in the Arnold Sports Center.
“We want to honor the hard work and resilience of our graduates,” said LVC President Dr. James MacLaren in the release. “While the ceremony won’t look like those in the past, we’re doing everything we can to make it a special day.”
Also reaffirmed its commitment to holding in-person classes for Fall 2021, as it had for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The fall semester begins August 30.
“We are seeing hopeful signs in our fight against the pandemic, in large part due to the success of the national vaccination program,” said MacLaren. “While we have to remain vigilant about our personal safety, as well as get our vaccinations when it is our turn, we’re optimistic that students will get the full on-campus experience they have been wanting.”
The release notes LVC strongly encourages vaccination and that administrators are also considering whether to require students to be vaccinated prior to fall campus return.
LVC says it made out better than many higher learning institutions in the United States, having avoided the need to furlough or reduce staff. The success is attributed to a team effort by students, faculty, and staff in following public health guidelines and cooperating with contact tracing, quarantining, isolating, and testing protocols.
“While we are taking nothing for granted,” said MacLaren in the release, “if we all continue to be careful about following the guidelines to protect ourselves and our friends and families, we will be able to enjoy a full college experience in the coming months and beyond.”
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