15
May
2021
|
18:30 PM
America/Chicago

UHD President's Message: Spring 2021 Commencement

Dear UHD Community, 

You have likely heard that Saturday's Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremony did not go as planned. 

Our trust in vendor Full Measure, which is tasked with coordinating slides and photos, was broken following its failure to successfully organize graduates’ information according to college, major and name. What resulted was an extensive list of names out of order, leaving graduates and families waiting for the duration of the program. 

This is unacceptable for our graduates, as well as our institution. 

I can say that many at UHD have worked hard to organize a program that would be meaningful for graduates. The result, however, was not reflective of the University’s appreciation and respect for our graduates, their families and supporters. 

We are working to rectify the situation and will send corrected commencement videos to our graduates by email, so they can view once again with their families. We also have announced that an in-person event is scheduled for August 14 at NRG Stadium for our Spring 2021 graduates, as well as all 2020 grads. 

While our vendor certainly placed everyone in a compromising position, the University will work overtime to make things right for our graduates. 

As the first in my family to graduate from college, I know what it is like to eagerly await the graduation experience. I too would be frustrated by the events that took place on Saturday. 

To our graduates, I apologize for this unfortunate turn of events. And to our UHD Community, I pledge not to let this happen again. 

Our graduates will be contacted to RSVP for the Aug. 14 event, and we will commit to making this return to in-person commencement exercises special for everyone in attendance.

If you have questions regarding today's event or the upcoming ceremony on August 14, please contact uhdgraduation@uhd.edu

Sincerely,

Loren J. Blanchard Ph.D.
President, University of Houston-Downtown