IN THE NEWS: VSU Takes Open, Honest Look at Graduating During a Global Pandemic

A little more than 57 hours before the 229^th Commencement was scheduled to “go live” on the Web, Valdosta State University invited journalists from various regional news organizations to talk to a pair of graduates and hear their thoughts about all the changes that took place during their final semester of school and the plans they had made to celebrate graduation at home with loved ones. The journalists also had an opportunity to learn more about the heartbreaking decision to replace the traditional Graduate School Ceremony and Undergraduate Ceremony with virtual celebrations and future plans to recognize the spring graduates in a more traditional setting. The conversations that occurred between interviewer and interviewees were open, honest, and humorous in all the right places.

Visit the following news sites to learn more about the countdown to virtual commencement.  

• Brian Jackson from WTXL ABC 27 shared “Valdosta State Will Hold First Virtual Graduation Ceremony in School History on Saturday” on May 7.

On the Web: https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news/valdosta-state-will-hold-first-virtual-graduation-ceremony-in-school-history-on-saturday

VSU Experts: Dr. Robert Smith, vice president for Academic Affairs; Jacob Bell, a Baxley, Georgia, resident graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and an Honors College Certificate; and Amea Thompson, a Springfield, Georgia, resident graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication and a Minor in Advertising and Promotions  

• Jennifer Morejon from WALB shared “VSU to Celebrate Virtual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday” on May 7.

On the Web: https://www.walb.com/2020/05/07/vsu-celebrate-virtual-commencement-ceremony-saturday/

VSU Experts: Dr. Robert Smith, vice president for Academic Affairs; Jacob Bell, a Baxley, Georgia, resident graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and an Honors College Certificate; and Amea Thompson, a Springfield, Georgia, resident graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication and a Minor in Advertising and Promotions   

• Amber Spradley from WCTV shared “We Worked so Hard for This Moment to Graduate: Valdosta State Students Gearing Up for Virtual Graduation” on May 7.

On the Web: https://www.wctv.tv/content/news/We-worked-so-hard-or-this-moment-to-graduate-Valdosta-State-students-gearing-up-for-virtual-graduation-570287061.html

VSU Experts: Dr. Robert Smith, vice president for Academic Affairs; Jacob Bell, a Baxley, Georgia, resident graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and an Honors College Certificate; and Amea Thompson, a Springfield,

More Information: VSU remains focused on providing opportunities to invite the spring graduates back to campus for in-person celebrations when public health officials determine it safe to resume large social gatherings. This plan tentatively includes a special graduate recognition during Homecoming 2020 in the fall and an invitation to walk the stage with the fall graduates in December. 

VSU is committed to creating a campus culture focused on individual student success, providing students with expanded transformational and experiential learning opportunities, and increasing regional impact by serving as a resource and innovative leader for South Georgia.

The health of our students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority, and VSU continues to monitor this global situation. Updates are posted at https://www.valdosta.edu/health-advisory/.