Caps and gowns distributed to local UVA Wise students

Local University of Virginia’s College at Wise students began picking up their caps and gowns on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

A livestream virtual ceremony will be held on May 9 to confer degrees to the Class of 2020. The virtual ceremony will be livestreamed at 11 a.m. on the original day the UVA Wise Class of 2020 would have graduated prior to the social distancing required to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Details of the livestreaming will be posted at uvawise.edu and on social media.

“The virtual ceremony will serve as the official end of the academic year and allow all those who earned their degrees to graduate on time,” Chancellor Donna. P. Henry said. “Please tune in for greetings, remarks and conferring of degrees. We plan to hold Commencement 2020 in the David J. Prior Convocation Center on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020.”

Henry said the college may consider alternate dates for the October ceremony if the pandemic evolves. She urged against making any travel plans until a clearer picture of safety measures and necessary precautions in the fall.