HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – There will be no graduation activities for Hope College in 2020.
Officials of the Holland-based school announced on Wednesday that the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies, originally slated for May 3rd but moved to the weekend of August 1st and 2nd as a result of the COVID 19 outbreak, will have to be “rescheduled” to next May because of the continued “social distancing” restrictions.
“If Hope were to host an in-person celebration in August, even outdoors, the constraints would significantly limit participation of friends and family and ultimately not provide you with a good commencement experience,” Hope President Matthew Scogin said in a Monday statement to members of the Class of 2020. “In addition, given that restrictions are more stringent for indoor gatherings, in the event of rain, it would be impossible to hold the ceremony in DeVos Fieldhouse.”
Details on the new ceremonies, including the specific date, are to be announced, as well as whether the Class of 2020 will have to share the ceremonies with the Class of 2021. “We promise to make the commencement next May a special and memorable weekend,” Scogin added.
