More colleges offering in-person graduations

A growing number of Texas colleges will host inperson commencement and graduation ceremonies this spring.

Several held ceremonies virtually last fall and spring to help curb the spread of COVID-19 on campuses. This semester, with the vaccine roll out and Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order opening the state 100 percent, many schools are opting to host in-person ceremonies.

Among them:

• Houston Baptist University will recognize 2021 graduates in two ceremonies at Husky Stadium/Dunham Football Field May 15.

• Prairie View A&M University will host this year’s spring graduates May 15 at Panther Stadium. Political analyst Michael Eric Dyson will be the commencement speaker. Those who attended virtual ceremonies previously will be invited to a May 14 ceremony. Each student is allotted four tickets for friends and family.

• Rice University plans celebrations for 2020 and spring 2021 graduates May 14-15 in the Academic Quadrangle. The event will also be live-streamed.

• Texas A&M University, which wrapped up its 2020 graduation ceremonies this month, plans in-person commencements in May.

• The University of Houston’s graduation ceremonies are May 10-16. More details will be posted on its website. UH-Victoria and UH-Downtown will host virtual ceremonies May 15. UHClear Lake planst a virtual ceremony May 16.

• University of St. Thomas is working to secure a location for a May 8 in-person commencement.

• University of Texas at Austin’s university-wide commencement at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is May 22. Celebrations for various colleges and schools is May 20-22.

• Lone Star College and Houston Community College systems will have virtual graduations this year, according to their website.