Lamar University will celebrate 1,800 spring 2020 graduates with a tour and virtual commencement ceremony.

The celebrations begin May 14 with a tour of graduates’ signs posted around the perimeter of campus. Each graduate was invited to provide a photo and degree information. Yard signs have been designed for 430 participating graduates. The signs, spaced eight-feet apart and positioned closest to the graduates’ college, will remain on campus for several weeks. The community is invited to tour the campus and view the signs as well as see the tour virtually on May 14 at 7 p.m. online.

Commencement will be held May 15 at 7 p.m. during a virtual ceremony. Deans from Lamar University’s five academic colleges will speak to their graduates. Interim Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Brenda Nichols and LU President Dr. Ken Evans will address the graduates and confer degrees. Each graduate’s name and degree will be listed.

The video of the graduates’ names as well as the yard sign images will be on a loop at Provost Umphrey Stadium on Fri., May 15 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The stadium will be unlocked at Gate 2, near the Dauphine, for graduates to enter and take photos on the field and in the stands. Additionally, the live video feed will be showing at the stadium with the scoreboard and campus in the background. It  will be on social media the entire day for graduates to see and share.

“We are so proud of our graduates and this remarkable life achievement,” said Evans. “Many of these students were with us through Harvey, Imelda and now COVID-19. They’ve persevered. They’ve overcome. They’ve accomplished a tremendous goal despite adversity. These are courageous individuals. I wish I could congratulate each of them in person.”

In hopes of congratulating the spring 2020 graduates in person, LU has proposed a special, summer face-to-face commencement in August.

May 2020 Graduates Can Walk at August Commencement

Typically, LU hosts three commencement ceremonies in the spring - one for the College of Arts and Sciences, one for the College of Business, the College of Engineering and the College of Fine Arts and Communication and one for the College of Education and Human Development. LU is currently surveying its spring graduates to determine the level of interest in participating in an August ceremony. If there is enough interest, LU would like to hold three separate ceremonies in August, instead of the traditional single ceremony held in August for all summer graduates.

All events, including commencement ceremonies are contingent on the campus being open and will be held in accordance with CDC guidelines.

The community is invited to watch the tour and commencement ceremony online on:

Facebook.com/LamarUniversity
YouTube.com/LamarUniversity

lamar.edu/2020grad

Commencement Celebrations

WHAT: Yard Sign Tour
WHEN: May 14 for two weeks and at 7 p.m. virtually
WHERE: Online at Facebook.com/LamarUniversity and YouTube.com/LamarUniversity and lamar.edu/2020gradvideo around campus by car

WHAT: Video Presentation of yard sign images and photo op
WHEN:  May 15 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
WHERE: Provost Umphrey Stadium, Gate 2, near the Dauphine and on social media for sharing
WHY: Graduates to enter the stadium and take photos on the field and in the stands.
 
WHAT: Conferring of Degrees
WHEN: May 15, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Online at Facebook.com/LamarUniversity and YouTube.com/LamarUniversity and lamar.edu/2020gradvideo

GET YOUR RED ON MAY 15

Join the social media ceremonies. Wear red May 15 to celebrate LU’s graduates. Post pictures of you, family members and friends watching the yard sign tour and commencement online on social media with #LamarUGrad2020. The best post wins an LU Prize Pack.

See LU's May 2020 Commencement website