Rowan University To Hold Virtual Graduation In Spring

For the second straight spring, Rowan University’s commencement ceremony will be held virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on May 8, according to the university’s website.

“Along with President Houshmand's address, the conferral of degrees and messages from commencement speakers, the ceremony will feature celebratory music and exciting surprises,” the university said in its announcement.

The ceremony will kick off a week of celebration. From May 10-14, Rowan will host small, in-person commencement ceremonies. Graduates will be assigned dates that will be determined by the number of confirmed participants. Those dates will be announced on March 15.

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Last spring’s commencement ceremony was Rowan’s first to be held virtually, coming just two months after the state initially shut down to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Rowan University President Ali Houshmand previously said he was hopeful the university would fully reopen in the fall following the approval of three vaccines.

“Through this pandemic, we’ve all learned a lot about what it means to be part of the Rowan community—even from a distance,” Houshmand said. “We’ve seen that virtual learning gives students more options to be successful and to thrive in their coursework. As we continue to grow, students forevermore will have the flexibility to choose the course formats that suit them best, whether in person, online or a little of both.”