USC to hold virtual commencement in lieu of in-person graduation

The University of South Carolina has canceled in-person graduation because of the coronavirus, the school said Tuesday.

Instead of holding graduation at Colonial Life Arena, USC will hold a virtual commencement, with dates to be announced later, USC President Robert Caslen said in a message to students who were preparing to graduate.

“I know this is disappointing news, but please know our decision was made after much deliberation and in consultation with public health experts and venue professionals,” USC President Robert Caslen said in a message to students. “While we would have enjoyed nothing more than to welcome you and your families back for a ceremony in August, we don’t believe it will be safe for large in-person gatherings over the summer in the midst of the unprecedented global health crisis we are facing.”

USC’s graduation had initially been postponed to Aug. 7 and 8 because of COVID-19, according to a previous article from The State.

Students preparing to graduate were heartbroken at losing their graduation day.

“I’m typically the student who always looks at the bright side but today I don’t have the words,” tweeted USC senior Lyric Swinton. “I really don’t. I dreamed of hugging my grandma outside of Colonial Life Arena for years. This just isn’t fair.”

USC is not the only school to cancel in-person graduation because of coronavirus. Last month, S.C. State University announced it would cancel in-person graduation in favor of an online-only ceremony, according to a previous article from The State.

This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 3:15 PM.