By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Northwest Missouri State University will postpone spring commencement exercises.
Northwest President John Jasinski, in an email to students, made the announcement, saying the postponement is due to restrictions placed on social gatherings as well as to protect the health and safety of its community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commencement ceremonies on the Maryville campus were set for the weekend of May 8th and 9th.
Northwest expects more than 920 students to graduate.
“We know our students look forward to our commencement ceremonies – and, in fact, we know that more than 80 percent of our graduates participate in Northwest’s commencement ceremonies, which is higher than the national average,” Jasinski stated in the email. “I truly believe Northwest’s commencement ceremonies are special, and we do it right. We also care deeply about our graduates and want to provide you with the celebration you deserve for achieving an important milestone that only about one-third of the population can claim.”
Northwest is considering moving commencement to summer. No plans have been finalized. More information will be released later. Graduates who cannot participate in a rescheduled ceremony may be allowed to participate in winter commencement ceremonies in December.