VCU news

By Tom Gresham

Abby Cadua was looking forward to Virginia Commonwealth University’s commencement scheduled for May 9. Cadua is receiving a master’s degree in public health this spring, and commencement would offer a chance to celebrate her accomplishment in the company of fellow graduates and her family. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of VCU’s commencement plans, as well as other similar events throughout the state. 

Instead, Cadua signed up to participate in VCU’s virtual commencement, an interactive online platform for recognizing the individual spring degree and certificate recipients. Cadua, who received an undergraduate degree from VCU in 2014, said the solution wasn’t ideal, but served as a way to bring together graduates. In addition, she can share the link with her friends and family, including those who would have been unable to travel to attend a ceremony. 

“I was trying to look at the bright side,” said Cadua, who works as a research coordinator in the VCU Department of Health Behavior and Policy. “I know this is the current norm, and we have to adapt to it. This will be an opportunity to do something with the other students and be with the rest of the graduating class in a way.”

The virtual commencement celebration website will feature personalized graduate slides, videos and social media feeds for each of the May graduates who participate. The site will be visible starting May 8. The virtual celebration is not intended to be a replacement for an in-person ceremony. All 2020 graduates (spring, summer and fall) are invited to participate in the university's next formal commencement ceremony on Dec. 12.

The university hopes the virtual commencement will give students, their families and the VCU community an immediate way to honor the new graduates’ many accomplishments until an in-person celebration is possible.

“The class of 2020 has shown remarkable poise and perseverance during a time of uncertainty and rapid change,” said Charles Klink, Ph.D., senior vice provost for student affairs at VCU. “They have not been deterred by challenges none of us ever imagined. My hope is that they will participate in our virtual commencement so they can celebrate this momentous milestone in their lives and the lives of their families.”

All prospective spring 2020 graduates with active May graduation applications can log in at vcu.marchingorder.com to customize their personal graduate slide. The last day to personalize slides is April 27.