Spring 2020 Graduates Celebrated
Graduates Sent ‘Commencement-in-a-Box’ Packages, Personalized Videos; Special Website Created
Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State University, Mankato will be celebrating its 2020 spring semester student graduations by sending graduates “commencement-in-a-box” packages, personalized URL videos and creating a special website that will launch Saturday, May 9 at 6 a.m.
The three traditional commencement ceremonies scheduled for Saturday were cancelled because of the COVID-10 pandemic.
“We’re disappointed that we’re not able to hold commencement ceremonies this spring,” said Minnesota State Mankato President Richard Davenport. “Commencement ceremonies are a tradition that can’t be replaced. But it is our hope that the special gift boxes, videos and website we have put together will show our graduates how special they are, and that we are thinking of them on this momentous day in their lives. In addition, we invite all of our spring graduates to join us and participate in the annual fall commencement ceremony that will be held in December.”
Minnesota State Mankato will award more than 2,200 degrees at the end of spring semester. Included are more than 1,800 undergraduate degrees and more than 400 graduate degrees and specialist certifications.
The “commencement-in-a-box” packages were shipped this week to graduates. Included inside the purple-and-gold branded boxes were a diploma cover, two commencement programs, two small branded gifts for the graduates and a personalized note from Davenport inviting them to December’s commencement ceremonies.
The University will launch a special website, mnsu.edu/mavgrad2020, at 6 a.m. Saturday, May 9. The website will include videos from Davenport and commencement speeches from graduating seniors representing each of the University’s six colleges. The website will include the names of each graduate and a graduation photo gallery where photos will be shared that graduates, faculty and staff tag with #MavGrad2020.
All students graduating this spring will be emailed a uniquely designed personalized URL video at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Pre-recorded student commencement speeches will be delivered by Holly Dodge, North Mankato, Minnesota, College of Arts and Humanities; Mesoma Akaolisa, Nigeria, College of Science, Engineering and Technology; Matthew Schiffmann, Omaha, Nebraska, College of Allied Health and Nursing; Shealyn Kawlewski, North Mankato, Minnesota, College of Education; Maggie Knier, Big Lake, Minnesota, College of Business; and Sussana Machinga, Zimbabwe, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Minnesota State Mankato’s spring commencement website will be available at 6 a.m. Saturday at http://mnsu.edu/mavgrad2020.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 14,297 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 30 colleges and seven universities.
