Kettering College Moving College-Wide Commencement Ceremony to Virtual Ceremony

MAY 29, 2020–Kettering College President Nate Brandstater announced in an email to Kettering College students, faculty, and staff, the college’s decision to move the college-wide summer commencement ceremony, which was to be held on Friday, July 10, 2020, to a virtual one.

As of May 29, 2020, the state of Ohio still designates auditoriums, concert halls and music halls closed for business. Banquet halls are only allowed to be open with a limitation of 300 people that are physically distancing. Based on these restrictions, Kettering College deemed it nearly impossible to hold our summer commencement ceremony in-person at the Schuster Performing Arts Center. The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and family members is of paramount importance.

Although the College is not convening an in-person ceremony for the entire college, it is committed to hosting a virtual ceremony, as was done for the spring commencement. The college encourages its graduates to participate in that ceremony. Graduates will be able to record a video, take a photo or send a message, which will be displayed during the ceremony.

In addition, each academic program will be planning celebratory activities for its graduates. These celebrations will include some form of face-to-face activities because physical distancing can be better controlled with a smaller group of people. Graduates will receive communication from their department as to how they will proceed with their activities, such as pinning or dedication ceremonies. 

Students, please note: if you are graduating this spring or this summer you will not be assessed a “graduation fee.”  Also, this decision will in no way interfere with graduates receiving their Kettering College degree. It is the successful completion of all degree requirements that qualifies a candidate for the awarding of a degree. Students are entitled to a Kettering College degree as soon as those requirements are met. 

Kettering College’s commencement ceremony properly honors the dedication and hard work of our students.  Though we wish we could celebrate in person, the virtual ceremony is an opportunity for the entire academic community to gather with the family and friends of Kettering College graduates to celebrate their accomplishments together.  We look forward to celebrating with you in this way, as well as at your program-specific festivities.

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