SPRINGFIELD, Mo., August 14, 2020 — Drury University will hold commencement ceremonies for spring 2020 graduates tonight and tomorrow at the O’Reilly Family Event Center. Ceremonies are typically held in May but were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The ceremony for graduates of the evening and online programs, now called Drury GO, and graduates of the College of Graduate Studies begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight. A ceremony for graduates of the traditional residential college begins at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Both ceremonies will look and feel different due to social distancing and other public health considerations. There will be temperature checks at the door and masks are required for all participants and visitors, no exceptions. One-time use masks will be available at the door for those who do not have them. Seats in the stands will be blocked off to ensure necessary distance between family groups. Graduates were asked to secure tickets for a limited number of family or friends prior to this weekend’s events. In lieu of a commencement speaker, graduates will hear remarks from Drury President Dr. Tim Cloyd and incoming Alumni Council president John Pope.
Media are welcome to cover the ceremonies but are asked to contact executive director of university relations Mike Brothers in advance of arrival.
Protocols for the ceremonies were crafted by Drury’s Student Health and Public Safety Committee, a cross-functional team of faculty, staff, students and administrators that was convened in early April to address all of the issues surrounding a safe return to campus life. The group’s work resulted in The Panther Plan: Our Roadmap for Fall 2020, which outlines all university efforts to keep health and safety at the forefront this academic year.
Drury recently hosted the Logan-Rogersville High School commencement at OFEC with the same public health protocols in place, and will host Clever High School on Sunday.
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