Eastern Washington cancels in-person commencement

CHENEY -- Eastern Washington University President Dr. Mary Cullinan has announced that the university's June13 commencement will be switching from an in-person ceremony to an online format as part of protective measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

“This year, unfortunately, the global pandemic has forced us all to reset gatherings, celebrations, and holidays,” Cullinan said in an April 15 news release announcing the change. “We can’t hold a traditional Commencement ceremony this spring.”

The ceremony for semester and quarter program students will still take place June 13, with details to follow on how the online format will work. Graduates who planned to walk this spring are also being invited to return and take part in the 2021 Commencement ceremonies.

The university is also holding out hope that some sort of in-person Commencement ceremonies might take place this fall, should health restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the severe acute respiratory disease be lifted in time.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.