STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — In-person graduation is back on this year in Central Wisconsin, but things will still look a little different.
After the COVID-19 pandemic made most commencement ceremonies virtual in 2020, several area schools are returning to in-person graduation. This includes UW-Stevens Point, which has scheduled 6 different graduation ceremonies across two days this week, Friday, May 21st, and Saturday, May 22nd. The ceremonies are being attended by different Colleges at the University.
UWSP Director of Strategic Communications Nick Schultz says the decision to hold multiple ceremonies comes from the new venue. “This year we are doing it outdoors so that we can maintain the physical distancing. And we’ll ask people to wear face coverings. So it will be in the Sundial, it’s also known as the Specht Memorial Forum, which is an open space between several of our academic buildings and Albertson Hall.
“So the scenery will look a little different this year. There’ll be several entry points for people to come in and take their spots. The ceremonies will be a little bit shorter so that we can keep them moving throughout the day. Our students will line up in one building and then process into that outdoor space,”.
Along with the ceremony looking a little different this year, 2021 will be the first time master’s degrees will be conferred in person. UWSP began offering MBAs at their 3 locations in 2019 and this year will be the first time degree recipients can get their diplomas in person as most of the MBA degrees require just over a year of classes.
Graduation ceremonies this year are also not just for 2021 graduates. Schultz says, “Because our two ceremonies in 2020 were all virtual, we have invited back the graduates from last year to walk in this ceremony. They have that option and several are taking us up on that offer,”.
Ceremonies this weekend will take place on Friday at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Guests to the ceremonies can park in any campus lot for free except Lot F West which is being used for handicap access.
