Coronavirus
La Crosse has 3 virtual college commencements this weekend
A year ago, December graduates from the three colleges in La Crosse were doing the traditional cap-and-gown, large room commencement ceremonies.
Nobody was expecting there would be a vastly different situation this December, because of a pandemic.
All three local schools have virtual celebrations this weekend.
Viterbo has two separate live-streamed ceremonies on Saturday, while UW-L and Western will have programs available on-line for the graduates and their families.
UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow thinks the distanced graduations might carry on for at least one more semester.
“It looks like (in-person graduation) probably won’t be possible in the spring, but we’ll do everything we can,” said Gow. “But certainly a year from now, according to the health officials who are leading the way, we ought to be able to get back to normal.”
The university calls its event happening on Sunday a “Couch Commencement,” which will honor 700 graduates.