UF to Honor 2020 Grads with Virtual Celebration

Graduation for the 2019-2020 academic year will be something the world has never seen, and likely, would not have imagined. COVID-19 has impacted seniors around the globe as the words “canceled” and “postponed” become more and more prevalent with each passing day, and graduation ceremonies are no exception. Due to social distancing guidelines and restrictions set in place by the Ohio Department of Health and Governor Mike DeWine, the traditional, in-person graduation ceremonies throughout the state will be pushed to later in the year, or canceled entirely.

To honor and congratulate graduates, the University of Findlay is taking a less traditional approach to commencement with a Virtual Celebration of Our Graduates the week of May 11, followed by a true graduation ceremony this fall. The celebration next month will highlight the class of 2020 and provide numerous ways for them, and their biggest supporters, to connect and reflect.

The Virtual Celebration of Our Graduates will include:

• Digital Commencement Program listing each graduate’s name
• Special messages from Dr. Fell, faculty, and alumni
• A first-person view of the Griffith Memorial Arch Ceremony

The University is working to rally alumni, faculty, staff, and parents to show their support and make the virtual celebration all the more special. Graduates and parents are invited to take part in the festivities by sharing some of their favorite memories from their time at UF. Parents are also encouraged to record themselves congratulating their graduate to let them know how proud they are of them.

Another way UF is gathering support and inspiration, is by launching a social media movement, called #dearOilergrad2020, where alumni will share advice and show support for the 2020 class. A montage video of encouragement, inspiration, and motivation will be featured in place of the traditional motivational commencement speaker.

Some alumni have also been selected to take part in virtual Alumni Career Roundtables over the next few months for graduating seniors. This webinar series will be sponsored by the UF Alumni Association with the help of the Center for Career and Professional Development. Each webinar will be geared toward a specific college to help provide graduates with career-specific connections and knowledge by peers in related career fields as well as college deans. More information on the Alumni Career Roundtables will be shared on the Oiler Nation Connect page soon.

These are certainly unprecedented times, not only at Findlay, but for the entire world. Graduation is not the end of the Oiler experience; UF welcomes all alumni to reach out to the UF Alumni Association for networking, career services, and other benefits. Remember, together, we are #OilerStrong!

To submit video(s) for the virtual celebration, please follow the links provided below:

• Favorite UF Memory (video approximately 45-seconds long): save to this Google Drive.
• Parent congratulation (video approximately 45-secondslong): send to jenkinsr1@findlay.edu.
• #dearOilergrad2020: post to the University of Findlay Alumni & Friends Facebook page with #dearOilergrad2020.

Please submit videos by Wednesday, May 6 to be included in the Virtual Celebration of Our Graduates webpage and the Oiler Mobile app. All video submissions will be included in the Celebration section of the Oiler Mobile app as well as on a special playlist in the University’s YouTube channel, and on the website.

For more information on how the University is honoring graduates, please contact Natasha Lancaster at lancastern@findlay.edu.