Commencement announcement

This is an archived message. Please check the most recent updates to ensure you have the most current information. 

Released: March 18, 2020 at 5:19 p.m. PDT

Dear Seniors and families,

The past few weeks have been full of decisions that we, as a college, never thought we would have to make: from moving to online courses, to closing buildings, and encouraging students to leave Walla Walla. I know many of you are experiencing a deep sense of loss because of these decisions.

I am writing today about another decision that I was hoping we would avoid making.  But here we are. We will not be having an in-person commencement ceremony for the class of 2020 in the way we have done it in the past. I wanted to let you know about this decision as soon as possible because I know that many families have been planning for commencement for months.

That doesn’t mean we won’t celebrate each of you and your accomplishments. We are in the process of figuring out how to do that in a way that is both safe and celebratory. In the coming weeks, we will be asking for ideas from the seniors and communicating the plans as things solidify.

I am deeply saddened that your four years are ending in this manner, but I hope you will look back at your time on campus as a whole and remember the incredible experiences and opportunities you had as part of this community.  I look forward to a time when your class has the opportunity to reunite in-person.

Kathy Murray
President