Parkland to Hold Virtual Commencement, May 22

Participating graduates to receive "Cobra Kit" with diploma

Parkland College will hold its first-ever Virtual Commencement Exercises Friday, May 22, to recognize its spring 2020 graduates.

The virtual ceremony will take place at 7 p.m., Parkland President Thomas Ramage announced today. Community members are invited to tune in to the event via YouTube, where they also will have the opportunity to cheer on graduates via social media and in the live chat.

"Commencement is an important tradition and a capstone of the academic year, where we honor our students' accomplishments," Ramage said. "So rather than canceling this milestone event in our students’ lives, we’re happy for the opportunity to celebrate with all our graduates virtually."

Parkland's virtual ceremony will feature many aspects of its traditional commencement, including speakers, awards presentations, and the reading of the graduates' names.

Students who desire to be included in the virtual ceremony must respond by May 1 to a forthcoming email from Student Services Vice President Michael Trame. His email will contain instructions for uploading graduate photos and information. Participating graduates will receive a "Cobra Commencement Kit" that will be mailed with their diplomas. The kit will include a copy of the commencement program, mortar board, tassel, padded diploma cover, and a Cobras school spirit token.

Ramage also invited Parkland's 2020 graduates to participate in the school's 2021 Commencement Exercises, scheduled for May 13 at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. He said information on next year's ceremony will be forwarded at a later date.

Parkland College suspended its traditional May commencement last month due to the Illinois stay-at-home order and the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.