VSU to Honor 700 Graduates during In-Person Commencement
University will honor four classes in first face-to-face ceremony since December 2019
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, VA - May 19, 2021 - Virginia State University will honor 700 graduates on Sunday, May 23, 2021, as part of the University’s first face-to-face commencement ceremony since December 2019. The ceremony will recognize graduates from the classes of spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021.
The outdoor ceremony will be held at Rogers Stadium and begins at 9:00 a.m. VSU will follow all protocols to ensure the gathering meets and/or exceeds CDC guidelines. All participants and attendees are required to wear masks at all times. Graduates will be seated six feet apart. In adherence to the Governor's executive order, the capacity of Rogers Stadium is reduced to 2285; therefore, each graduate will receive two guest tickets. The graduates’ name will be called and participants will walk across the stage, but will not shake hands with University officials.
“VSU is mindful that we are still in a pandemic. Therefore, we have put forth the utmost effort to ensure the safety of our Trojan family. We have planned a ceremony that honors our deserving graduates while also keeping safety protocols at the forefront of our event,” states Dr. Donald Palm, VSU Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.
Attorney and Politics/Culture Commentator, Angela Rye, is the featured commencement keynote speaker. VSU will confer seven honorary doctoral degrees to deserving individuals to include social justice attorney, Benjamin Crump.
The ceremony will be livestreamed via the VSU website and broadcast live on WVST radio. The livestream will begin at 8:00 a.m., processional begins at 8:30 a.m. and Commencement begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.