Commencement recommences at Utah State — maybe

By Taylor Cripe and Lindsie Wharff

Graduating students received a ray of hope on Monday when Utah State University announced it would hold its annual commencement on Aug. 28 and 29 — pandemic pending.  

On Wednesday, school leaders had said commencement would not take place at the end of April as originally planned. 

Senior Tarren Jessop was elated by the change. “I am over the moon,” Jessop said. “But I do feel it's important to stress we will only get this chance if we all do our part in slowing the spread of the virus.” 

However, the date change is not good news for everyone. Many students have already moved home and a lot of graduates would have to make an extra trip to Utah for a fall ceremony.

“I most likely will not be here, and I probably won’t make the trip to attend later,” senior Kimmie Stewart said. 

California native Kaylyn Patenaude said she would also be unlikely to return.

“The date change means not getting to celebrate with my family like I already planned,” Patenaude said. “I don’t have closure in this season of my life. I am not even sure I can come back for graduation.”

Statewide campuses will also be planning graduation events for the first two weeks in September. University leaders more details surrounding these events will be provided later.