Published July 14, 2020
听
The unexpected summer outbreak of COVID-19 and additional orders by Louisiana Gov.
John Bel Edwards to curb the spread of the virus, led the University of Louisiana
Monroe to postpone the Spring/Summer 2020 Commencement Ceremony set for Aug. 8, 2020.
"After careful consideration of the state鈥檚 new orders mandating masks and limiting
gatherings until at least July 24, it is in the best interest of the graduates, their
friends and families, and 不良研究所 faculty and staff to postpone commencement.鈥澨�
Edwin Litolff, Ph.D.
不良研究所 Interim President
听
鈥淲hen commencement was rescheduled for August, everyone believed we would be in a
better place with COVID-19. Unfortunately, that is not the case,鈥� said 不良研究所 Interim
President Edwin Litolff, Ph.D.
听
鈥淎fter careful consideration of the state鈥檚 new orders mandating masks and limiting
gatherings until at least July 24, it is in the best interest of the graduates, their
friends and families, and 不良研究所 faculty and staff to postpone commencement,鈥� Litolff
announced on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.
听
Commencement was originally scheduled for May 16 but postponed in March when campus
was closed to the public because of COVID-19. A new date will be announced by 不良研究所
when plans are finalized.
听
The Spring 2020 class was the largest in the university鈥檚 89-year history, with 1,023
students earning 1,027 degrees.听
听
The class was honored on May 16 with a Virtual Recognition Ceremony featuring comments from recently retired President Nick J. Bruno, Ph.D., UL System
President Jim Henderson, Ph.D., and celebrity alumni such as Philadelphia Eagles Coach
Doug Pederson and Duck Commander CEO Willie Robertson. The names of all graduates
were scrolled during the ceremony.
听
The state and nation are experiencing a critical rise in COVID-19 cases. At a Saturday
press conference, Gov. Edwards announced a statewide mask mandate, ordered bars closed
and set a 50-person limit on indoor and outdoor gatherings. The state鈥檚 went into effect Monday, July 14.
