WVU to hold ‘virtual’ commencement experience in May, ceremony in December

West Virginia University  will hold a “virtual commencement experience” for graduates in May, then have an in-person celebration in December, the school announced today (March 25).

The plans were announced in a  letter and video from  President Gordon Gee to the Class of 2020.

“You are truly a special class,” Gee said. “And this experience will be just one of many that will shape you throughout your life. Though the time in which we find ourselves is one of the most challenging our nation has ever faced, we know that our campus, our state and our country will come together again – stronger and more resilient than ever before. After all, we are Mountaineers.”

The online  commencement experience is titled Mountaineer Graduation Day and will be held Saturday, May 16. 

Potomac State College in Keyser and  WVU Tech in Beckley will make their own announcements about commencement ceremonies separately. 

The event will include ways for graduates to share their celebration with classmates, family and friends, as well as special moments to connect them with the University. More information will be shared soon with candidates and their families.

The University will hold a special commencement ceremony for all May graduates on Saturday, Dec. 19 to recognize and celebrate their achievements. Details will be forthcoming. 

The extraordinary action was taken as part of the University’s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world. Last week, the school announced that it would move to alternate delivery of classes for the rest of the spring semester. It had previously delayed a return after spring break.

“No one understands and empathizes with your disappointment more than we do,” Gee said in the letter. “We love and treasure you for all the energy, ideas and joy you bring to our campus. We have watched you take your first steps on campus, find your bearings and blossom into brilliant, young minds who have pursued their dreams with passion and with purpose.

“And that is why we cannot imagine sending you out into the world without a proper celebration,” he added.

More information on the details of the May Commencement will be coming soon.

Need to order a cap and gown?

Order your cap and gown for photos with the family from Herff Jones. Order caps and gowns by the end of March for May's virtual ceremony. Contact Contact Vince Rodi at vjrodi@herffjones.com.

Order a cap and gown. Order a gift.

Need info on Accessibility Services for December?

Contact us at access2@mail.wvu.edu with questions.

Accessibility Services Website

It's time to join the Alumni Association.

Become part of something bigger. Join 200,000 graduates worldwide, in WVU's largest representation of alumni. This is the place you belong. Recent graduates can get discounted membership to the Alumni Association.
Contact Meridith Balas at Meridith.balas@mail.wvu.edu

Alumni Association Website

Find your career with help from Career Services.

PLAN IT. BUILD IT. WORK IT. LIVE IT. Career planning takes work. To prepare for a career, you need something greater than a four-year plan. And you need to start now. We are here to help.
Contact David Durham at David.durham@mail.wvu.edu

Career Services Website

Dreaming of a class ring?

Our WVU ring collection was created as a unique one-of-a-kind design to symbolize the spirit and academic excellence of West Virginia’s flagship institution of higher learning.
Contact Heather Wolfe at Heather.wolfe@jostens.com

Class Ring Website

Do you have more Commencement questions?

Have questions on logistics? 
Contact Lisa Martin at Lisa.martin@mail.wvu.edu

Commencement Website

Thinking about Grad School? Contact Graduate Admissions.

Follow your intellectual passion both in and outside the classroom as you learn the skills and knowledge needed to excel. Apply to graduate school! West Virginia is our home!
Contact Shelly Quance at Shelly.quance@mail.wvu.edu

Graduate Admissions Website

Make your first gift to WVU through Mountaineer Mark.

Mountaineer Mark is a program that gives WVU undergraduate seniors and final-year professional students an opportunity to make their first-ever gift to the Fund for WVU.
Contact Greg McCracken at gmccraken@wvuf.org

Mountaineer Mark Website

Are you a parent who needs more information? Contact the Parents Club.

West Virginia University’s Mountaineer Parents Club is free and open to parents and family members of current, former and future WVU students.
Contact Lisa Hanselman at Lisa.hanselman@mail.wvu.edu

Parents Club Website