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Purdue University announced Thursday soon-to-be-graduates will be able to participate in a virtual commencement ceremony, with caps, gowns, diplomas, speeches, and Purdue Musical Organization accompaniment.
“Purdue is known for the most personal and memorable commencement of any large university. If we can’t put on the nation’s best traditional ceremony, then we’ll produce the best remote one,” said Purdue President Mitch Daniels.
The school plans to send students a diploma cover, commencement program, honor cords, and instructions on downloading their own individual ceremony to view. Graduates will also be able to rent or purchase caps and gowns to wear in front of photo backgrounds and filters of landmark Purdue spots, such as the school’s Bell Tower.
The traditional, in-person commencement ceremonies were scheduled to take place in mid-May at Elliott Hall of Music. The university cancelled those events after restrictions on gathering sizes and travel began escalating over concerns about COVID-19.
More details will be made available in coming weeks regarding a possible in-person ceremony in August or December.
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