Dear UHD Students, Staff, and Faculty:

As you are aware, it was recently announced that the UHD Spring Commencement will be conducted in a virtual format at 1 p.m. on May 15. In addition to this virtual celebration of our graduates, I am pleased to announce that UHD will host a traditional commencement ceremony in person in August 2021.

The date and venue for this ceremony are still to be determined but an announcement is anticipated by April 30. All graduates from Spring, Summer and Fall 2020 as well as Spring 2021 are invited to participate in this event.

We look forward to hosting this long-awaited return to a live graduation ceremony and will work to ensure an event that is planned with your safety in mind; one that will allow for some guest attendance utilizing safety protocols recommended by health professionals. In preparing for these ceremonies, we have enlisted the assistance of two Spring 2021 graduates who will serve on the planning task force.

The decision to wait until August for a return to live graduation ceremonies was made following consultation with UHD's COVID-19 Taskforce, the Department of Emergency Management, the Student Government Association, and incoming UHD President Loren J. Blanchard. Additionally, the University continues to adhere to guidance provided by regional health officials and city and state leaders.

Health and government officials are setting a goal of providing enough vaccines for American adults by the end of spring. This news is encouraging and provides us with confidence that August will be the optimal time for hosting our in-person commencement ceremony. Details on the August event will be shared on UHD's Commencement site as they become available.

As we prepare for a return to live ceremonies, Spring 2021 graduates are strongly encouraged to also participate in the virtual activities taking place in May. A number of supporting events are already scheduled to commemorate our Spring graduates. Information about these events is available online and more details will be added very soon, including information about an in-person diploma pick-up event this July for our Spring 2021 graduates. As a reminder, Spring graduates are eligible to participate in both May and August events.

I look forward to sharing more details about all of UHD's Commencement events soon and celebrating the academic accomplishments of our Gator Graduates both virtually and in person in the coming months.

Have a safe Spring Break.

Sincerely,

Dr. Eric Carl Link
Senior Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs and Provost