By Anna Hansen
April 19, 2021
Edgewood College announced recently that it will hold graduation ceremonies on campus Saturday, May 15. Three ceremonies will take place over the course of the day, two for undergraduate students and one for graduate students. Each ceremony will feature around 110 students.
The ceremony was originally scheduled for Sunday, May 16 at the Alliant Energy Center. On March 24, the college Commencement Committee shared the news with students via email that the location for graduation would move to campus. President Andrew Manion explained in the email that the change in venue and date was due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions.
“While we could hold commencement at the Alliant Center with restrictions, it could require that we not allow graduates to have any guests … We have determined that our graduates deserve to have some loved ones with them celebrating the completion of their degree, so we have decided to move commencement,” Manion said.
Director of Strategic Communications Ed Taylor explained that the campus ceremonies would take place under a tent in the Regina parking lot, between the Predolin Humanities Center and the Edgedome. According to Taylor, this space will allow for 500 seats to be placed in a way that allows social distancing under the tent.
“It is such an important day for graduates and their families,” said Taylor. “Having ceremonies on campus, on Saturday when we have access to all of the parking on our shared 55-acre campus, puts us in the best position to create a wonderful, memorable day for our graduates.”
Taylor said that Edgewood’s Commencement Committee is busy working with city and county public health officials and the city fire department to meet safety regulations.
A few students expressed concerns regarding the changes to commencement.
They spoke to OTE and asked that their names not be used to protect their privacy.
One student said that she was concerned for her family’s safety under the tent and hoped the college would offer more details soon.
Another student said she was frustrated that the change in venue and date came after deadlines had passed for the purchase of caps, gowns, and cords, as well as RSVPs for commencement guests. The number of guests graduates could RSVP with on the original form was up to ten. The change in venue now allows for a limit of three per graduate.
Taylor said that if students have questions or concerns about COVID-19 protocols they can reach out to the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@edgewood.edu.
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