Jacksonville University will offer members of the Class of 2020 the opportunity to celebrate their graduation in person and on campus, President Tim Cost ’81 announced last week.
“We take commencement very seriously here,” President Cost told a virtual town hall audience. “It means the world to you and your families, and it means the world to us. We want to celebrate you in person.”
President Cost announced that the University will celebrate the Class of 2020 on the morning of Oct. 10. That Saturday falls during the middle of this year’s Homecoming and Family Weekend from Oct. 9-11.
The University also continues to work to allow members of the Class of 2020 to walk at commencement with the Class of 2021, President Cost said.
In the meantime, the University plans to change the focus of this year’s Charter Day. Typically, the Jacksonville University family celebrates the April 16, 1934 founding of the University by spending the day providing service to the community. With this year’s Charter Day of Service activities cancelled by government restrictions related to COVID-19, the University plans to instead ask the world-wide Dolphin community to celebrate the Class of 2020.
“Raise a glass, say a nice thing and toast the Class of 2020,” President Cost said.
During this year’s Virtual Global Toast, the University encourages all members of its family – alumni, students, faculty, staff, supporters, friends – to connect with one another and raise a toast to the newest Dolphin alumni – the Class of 2020. To participate, take a photo or record a video message to post on social media using #JUToast and tag friends to get them to participate, too. Share your message to Jacksonville University social media channels, and we’ll share with them all with the Class of 2020 during their originally scheduled commencement week.
