SANTA BARBARA — Although all in-person campus operations have been suspended until further notice, that won’t stop Santa Barbara City College from holding a commencement ceremony to honor the graduating class of 2020. On May 8 at 5 p.m., the college will hold a “virtual” commencement online, to which all students, faculty, staff and the community at large are invited.
Because of the social distancing required due to the coronavirus pandemic, schools throughout the country are turning to virtual commencement ceremonies as the best alternative to a live event. The virtual ceremony will allow for speeches to be displayed to the graduates and their families, along with the individual achievements of each graduate and personal recognitions.
There will even be a platform where graduates can enjoy a communal moment through watching the webcast and/or engaging via social media.
Among the highlights will be the commencement address by Isabel Agundis, who is receiving her degree in Mechanical Engineering, speaking to her fellow students who will be “in attendance” to receive their degrees. Other speakers include President/Superintendent Dr. Utpal K. Goswami and Academic Senate President Patricia Stark. Executive Vice President of Educational Programs Pamela Ralston, Ph.D., will present the candidates. Dr. Goswami will confer the degrees.
The ceremony will also be captioned in Spanish.
