UAA will hold 'Reunion Commencement' for pandemic grads

In advance of spring commencement, the University of Alaska Anchorage will hold a special ceremony at the Alaska Airlines Center for students whose commencement ceremonies were held virtually in 2020 and 2021. This includes graduates from the spring classes of 2020 and 2021 and the summer and fall classes of 2020. Nearly 2,600 students celebrated their graduation day online as UAA worked to keep its community safe and healthy during heightened moments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know it wasn’t the same as celebrating in person,” said UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell. “At the time, we promised to hold an in-person gathering as soon as it was safe to do so and we’re keeping that promise. We want to welcome you back to the vibrant campus you remember, where we’ll celebrate you and your accomplishments.”

The celebration will include all of the traditional elements of commencement including an Alaska Native welcome, a presentation of the colors by UAA’s ROTC color guard, messages from faculty and student speakers and more. Graduates will have the opportunity to walk across the stage as their name is read, which is often the most memorable moment for graduates.

Graduates should register themselves and reserve seats in advance for their friends and family to attend the celebration, which will be held on April 30 at 6 p.m. Find out more.

“Let this be a renewed commemoration of the transition from student to graduate. We can’t wait to see our graduates walk across that stage,” said Chancellor Parnell.

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Media contact:

Austin Osborne
Director of Public Relations
(907) 786-1296 office
alosborne@alaska.edu