What you need to know about Rutgers' virtual spring commencement ceremonies

All spring commencement ceremonies will be held virtually due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Here is what you need to know about each of the school’s ceremonies and how to watch them.

The Rutgers—New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences commencement will take place on May 16 at 2 p.m. In addition to the commencement ceremony, each school will have its own convocation event where each individual graduate who applies will be recognized with their honors and awards, according to Rutgers—New Brunswick’s University Commencement website. 

The link to attend the virtual commencement ceremony will be added here in the days leading up to the event. More information regarding convocation events can be found on the school convocation webpage.

The commencement will feature Natasha Trethewey, an award-winning author and former U.S. Poet Laureate, as this year’s speaker, The Daily Targum previously reported. Those who will receive honorary degrees include Rush D. Holt, Laurie Garrett and G. Willow Wilson.

The virtual commencement ceremony for Rutgers—Newark will also be held on May 16 at 6 p.m. and will feature Wendell Pierce, actor, author, radio personality and humanitarian, as this year’s speaker, the Targum previously reported. Honorary degree recipients will include Robert Parris Moses and Angela Martinez.

Rutgers—Newark is also continuing to develop activities for its May 2021 Salute Week event to further honor graduates beyond virtual commencement, according to the school’s Commencement webpage. 

Finalized details will be released in the coming days, but so far, one activity will include the opportunity for graduates to take photographs in regalia at a designated location on campus, while observing health and safety guidelines, according to the website. There will be regalia at the location for students to wear for the photos at no cost if they do not have their own or do not wish to bring their own.

More information regarding Rutgers—Newark’s virtual commencement ceremony and Salute Week activities can be found here.

Rutgers—Camden will be having individual virtual commencement ceremonies for each of its schools between May 19 and June 4, according to its Commencement webpage. While there was no featured commencement speaker released, Rutgers—Camden will be presenting honorary degrees to Judith Persichilli and Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Targum previously reported.

Additional information regarding each individual commencement and where to watch can be found here. Also, information concerning graduates’ photo submissions for their ceremonies and other commencement festivities will be sent by each school in the upcoming days, according to the webpage. 

University President Jonathan Holloway said that Rutgers is hoping to hold in-person events in the future to honor graduates of 2020 and 2021, the Targum previously reported.