Limestone Postponing Graduation Ceremonies Scheduled For May 2, 2020

Limestone is postponing its regularly scheduled commencement ceremonies in May, but the College is developing plans to still provide meaningful graduation experiences for its seniors.

Dr. Darrell Parker, Limestone’s President, announced on Monday, March 30, that his institution had to make the difficult decision similar to the one taken by numerous colleges and universities across the country as a result of the coronavirus health emergency.

Although Limestone will not hold its two on-campus ceremonies as planned on Saturday, May 2, inside Fullerton Auditorium, eligible students will officially graduate when their degree requirements are verified after the Spring semester. The College anticipates mailing diplomas to students as soon as possible.

“Graduation is the most joyous time of year here at Limestone,” Parker said. “However, this unprecedented time has led to too much uncertainty in regard to trying to plan a graduation ceremony in a few short weeks. The health and safety of the campus community must be our top priority. Commencement is the culmination of years of hard work for our Class of 2020, so we’re looking at ways to give those students and their families the wonderful experience they deserve.

“We are considering many options to allow them to celebrate the achievement of earning a college degree,” he continued. “We should have a clearer idea in the near future regarding the ways we will be able to honor our graduates for their accomplishments. The postponement of the regularly scheduled ceremony will not impact their standing as a graduate or the timing of their degree completion.”

Parker said that, as the concerns over the coronavirus subside, more information regarding future graduation activities will be announced as they emerge.

The commencement postponement announcement comes after coronavirus concerns led to Limestone moving the remainder of the Spring semester to remote learning.

The graduation ceremonies in May were expected to be the final ones at Limestone before moving to university status during the summer. The first official Limestone University class to graduate will be in December of this year.