WHAT: University of Rhode Island to hold in-person undergraduate commencement ceremonies for more than 800 members of the Class of 2020. After in-person commencement ceremonies were canceled in the spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University surveyed graduating students to see if they would be interested in being part of in-person ceremonies at a future date. Ninety-four percent of the students said they wanted an in-person ceremony. The University had hoped to offer such a program in the fall of 2020, but the pandemic’s continuing strength at the time along with national and state health guidance prevented that. Instead, the University held virtual recognition ceremonies the weekend of May 16 and May 17, and then began planning for the in-person ceremony being held Friday.

WHO: Daniel J. McKee, governor of Rhode Island; Marc B. Parlange, URI president; Margo L. Cook, ‘86, chair of the URI Board of Trustees; Laura Beauvais, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; Alfred J. Verrechia, ‘67, MBA ‘72, Hon. ‘04, chair of the Board of Trustees of the URI Foundation and Alumni Engagement; Jack M. Fulton ‘20, student speaker; URI college deans; and more than 800 in-person graduates. Parlange will preside over his first commencement ceremony.

In looking forward to the ceremonies, the president praised the class for its resilience and commitment. “No matter where the graduates of the Class of 2020 are today–working or pursuing graduate degrees, the University is delighted to honor them for staying focused on their studies while caring for members of the Rhody community and their wider communities.” 

WHERE: The University’s Ryan Center, One Lincoln Almond Plaza, Kingston Campus

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, 4 to 6:30 p.m.

TO MAKE COVERAGE ARRANGEMENTS CONTACT: Dave Lavallee, Marketing and Communications, 401-874-5862, cell 401-465-4291 or email, dlavallee@uri.edu.