LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bellarmine University is celebrating graduates with a "Toast to Our Graduates" on the University's Facebook page. The celebration will take place May 9 at 1 p.m.
The online event is not meant to replace the commencement ceremony now planned on Dec. 19 at Freedom Hall for Spring 2020, Fall 2019 and Summer 2019 graduates. Rather, this is Bellarmine’s way of commemorating May 9, the day commencement was initially scheduled. At that event, Bellarmine would have conferred 913 degrees to new graduates.
“We couldn’t let the original date go by without acknowledging and celebrating this class and all the hard work they’ve done to get to this point,” said Dr. Paul Gore, vice president for Academic Affairs & Provost. “That work has been particularly challenging this semester, as everyone moved off campus and instruction moved online. But they have approached these changes with resilience and resourcefulness, and with our dedicated faculty, they have maintained the ties of Bellarmine community even while apart.
The celebration will include remarks from Dr. Gore, President of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities Dr. OJ Oleka, CEO of NPR John Lansing and Bellarmine President Dr. Susan Donovan.
“The Class of 2020 has already proven that they can adapt and succeed when circumstances change. And circumstances will always change,” said Donovan. “I am entirely confident that their Bellarmine education, rooted in the great tradition of the liberal arts, will help them to be flexible; to solve problems; and to create great meaning and value in their lives, no matter where their paths may take them.”
Bellarmine has created a special graduation web page, featuring profiles of some 2020 “Great Graduates” and other commencement-related content.
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