UMM to hold virtual Class of 2020 Recognition Ceremony on May 30

University of Maine at Machias Class of 2020 graduates will be celebrated in a virtual Recognition Ceremony on May 30 at 1 p.m.

The event will feature brief remarks from President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Head of Campus Dan Qualls and Rep. Will Tuell, a Class of 2001 graduate. The prerecorded ceremony will be available on YouTube with a live, moderated chat room, where viewers can offer messages of congratulations during a slideshow of the graduates.

UMM’s 109th Commencement, which will include an address by Tuell, and speeches from the valedictorian and salutatorian, is tentatively scheduled to be held in September during homecoming weekend. Holding the in-person event will be determined based on health and safety guidance from the federal and state Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We feel it’s important to hold an event in May to mark the end of an especially challenging semester and celebrate the achievements of our graduates,” says Qualls. “But we want to stress that this doesn’t replace a traditional Commencement ceremony. As soon as it’s safe to do so, we’re going to give the Class of 2020 the live celebration that they deserve.”

Information about how to access the virtual ceremony will be posted on the Commencement page.