SRJC Announces Virtual Graduation Ceremonies

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The coronavirus is preventing large social gatherings but Santa Rosa Junior College plans to recognize its students who have completed certificate programs and associate degrees by holding virtual celebration and graduation ceremonies, the college announced this week.

"These students have shown incredible determination and resilience by continuing their studies while our community faced wildfires, smoke closures, power outages and now the coronavirus," SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong said.

At 5 p.m. Friday, May 22, SRJC plans to livestream a virtual "Celebrate CE" video, recognizing students who completed certificate programs.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, May 23, SRJC plans to livestream a virtual graduation video, recognizing graduates who have completed one or more associate degrees.

Chong said it is more important than ever to celebrate the accomplishments of the dedicated students who have worked hard to graduate in the face of unprecedented challenges, as well as the faculty and staff who helped them achieve their goals.

"They are graduating having proven their resilience and ability to persevere," Chong said. "I’m proud that SRJC could be a part of that."

Because SRJC knows a virtual ceremony cannot take the place of a live event, the college says all 2020 graduates are also invited to participate in Commencement 2021 — as long as the college has reopened for large events by that time.

In the meantime, the community is welcome to join next week's virtual ceremonies to celebrate graduates and certificate completers. Both videos can be viewed at Live.santarosa.edu.

As to when on-campus classes may resume, the college announced April 30 it is extending remote instruction and services through the end of the fall 2020 semester "in response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis in Sonoma County."

SRJC says it is striving to keep students in school during these uncertain times by providing assistance through emergency grant funding, food distributions, a laptop loaner program and a dedicated Student Resource Center.