BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Villa Maria College announced an in-person commencement ceremony in celebration of the class of 2021 and 2020 will take place on May 22.
The college says the ceremony will be held outside in front of the Main Building beginning at 10 a.m.
As a result of a change in New York State guidance on graduations and commencement ceremonies, each participating graduate will be allowed to invite two guests to attend. Previously only student participants and college faculty and staff were planned to be able to attend.
All students and their two guests must RSVP here by Tuesday, May 18.
On graduation day, the college says all attendees will have to check in at the registration tables and must provide the following:
- A valid form of identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.).
- Contact information, including a phone number that can receive text messages.
- Proof of vaccination OR proof of a negative PCR test that was obtained between May 19 at 10 AM and May 22 at 10 AM.
The college says all attendees must complete a health screening and have their temperatures checked before being seated. Physical distancing, face coverings and all other state and local guidelines will be followed.
"Anyone who is unwilling or unable to comply with state and county guidelines will be unable to attend the on-campus ceremony," the college says.
For those unable to attend the ceremony, it will be live streamed on the college's YouTube channel.
“We look forward to honoring the graduates from the past two years,” said DJ Schier, Villa Maria’s director of student affairs. “Commencement is always a special time to celebrate the hard work of our students. This year’s class and last year’s class especially deserve this recognition after persevering and completing their coursework in the midst of a global pandemic.”
For more information visit Villa Maria's website here.
