On Friday, May 8, the University of Georgia will officially graduate 7,324 of its undergrad and graduate students. Due to the pandemic, UGA is forgoing its traditional graduation ceremony at Sanford Stadium in Athens and instead will acknowledge the conferral of degrees with a congratulatory online message.
The message will be posted at 10 a.m. Friday at commencement.uga.edu.
Alumni, family, and friends are invited to join in the May 8 celebration by sharing a photo or short video with encouraging words and congratulations using #UGAgrad on social media.
Spring commencement this fall
With their newly-acquired academic credentials in hand, many UGA graduates will embark on their careers but they’ll all have a chance to celebrate their achievement together this fall.
The university is planning to hold its Spring Commencement for undergraduate students at 6:30 p.m. on October 16 in Sanford Stadium. Spring Commencement for graduate students is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on December 18 in Stegeman Coliseum.
Officals at the state’s largest university say the postponed commencement ceremonies will be held “if federal and state health officials deem it safe.”
Photos at the Arch
UGA officials say they recognize that some graduates may want to have their photo taken at the Arch – a historical landmark deeply rooted in school lore. They urge anyone visiting campus for photos to follow CDC guidelines and socially distance themselves at least six feet apart.
For UGA graduates with mobility limitations who want to pass through the Arch, the university will have a temporary platform in place on Sunday, May 10, from noon to 6 p.m. A platform also will be put in place following the October ceremony at a time to be announced closer to the event.
