Hartford Courant

Commenceme­nt moves online

University plans virtual commenceme­nt ceremony for graduates with Auriemma as speaker

- By Russell Blair and Eliza Fawcett

UConn graduates will gather — virtually, from their homes — May 9 for an online commenceme­nt ceremony, adapting to restrictio­ns that remain in place due to the coronaviru­s. A commenceme­nt address will be given by UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma and two student speakers are also scheduled.

UConn graduates will gather — virtually, from their homes — on May 9 for an online commenceme­nt ceremony, adapting to restrictio­ns that remain in place due to the coronaviru­s.

A commenceme­nt address will be given by UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma and two student speakers are also scheduled. Wanjiku “Wawa” Gatheru, UConn’s first Rhodes

Scholar, will deliver one of the student speeches. The program begins at noon and will be streamed live on the university’s YouTube page.

“If you happen to be near your computer on May 9, please feel free to join us,” UConn President Thomas Katsouleas said during a board of trustees meeting held by telephone Wednesday.

University spokespers­on Stephanie Reitz said UConn also plans to hold a Celebratio­n Weekend on Oct. 9-11, which would include an in-person commenceme­nt ceremony and other events.

While summer courses are being held entirely online, UConn will announce plans for the fall semester by June 30 and is considerin­g multiple scenarios contingent on the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Katsouleas said during the meeting.

“Of course, what scenario we end up with depends a lot on the state of the

 ?? MARK MIRKO/HARTFORD COURANT ?? Grass is cut at UConn’s Horsebarn Hill in recognitio­n of the class of 2020. Officials announced Wednesday that the university will conduct an online commenceme­nt ceremony.
MARK MIRKO/HARTFORD COURANT Grass is cut at UConn’s Horsebarn Hill in recognitio­n of the class of 2020. Officials announced Wednesday that the university will conduct an online commenceme­nt ceremony.

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