ASU announces plan for hybrid graduation ceremony in May

PHOENIX – Arizona State University revealed plans Monday for a schoolwide virtual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021 along with in-person commencement events hosted by individual colleges.

ASU’s celebrations of academic achievement are scheduled for May 3.

More than 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students are expected to earn degrees this semester, university president Michael Crow said in a letter to the ASU community.

“We hope you look forward to recognizing the incredible achievements of our students who did everything we ask of our graduates under extraordinary circumstances and with unforeseen challenges due to the pandemic,” the letter says.

ASU hasn’t held any kind of in-person graduation ceremony since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As with other graduations in the last year, family and friends will be able to watch this spring’s virtual event.

The in-person events will be limited to graduates and hosted by academic deans. Planning, which has yet to be finalized, is being done at the college level.

As an example, the letter says the College of Health Solutions is looking into hooding its doctoral candidates in person and holding an outdoor procession for master’s and undergraduate students.

ASU will also offer graduates professional photo opportunities as well as digital assets such as graphics, filters, Zoom backgrounds and GIFs.

Find the latest information at the university’s graduation web page.

Earlier this month, the University of Arizona said it would commemorate spring graduates with a series of in-person events May 11-18.

Northern Arizona University is planning a virtual graduation ceremony on April 30.

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