Northern_Today_Fall_2020

NORTHERN TODAY 11 FALL 2020 Northern State University held an in-person winter commencement ceremony that was open to all 2020 Northern graduates. THE CEREMONY took place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in the NSU Barnett Center. The decision was made after careful consideration and discussion among campus leadership and NSU Faculty Senate. The university had to cancel its spring commencement ceremony due to the pandemic. The winter ceremony was open to spring and summer 2020 grads as well. After assessing the increase in cases in Brown County with area health officials and government agencies, it was determined that only graduating students, along with faculty and select staff, would be allowed inside the Barnett Center for the ceremony. For parents, friends and loved ones, the event was live streamed through the NSU Facebook page and locally through cable channel 12. Attendees at the ceremony were required to wear masks, as mandated by the S.D. Board of Regents, and participants were appropriately spaced throughout the Barnett Center. NSU President Dr. Tim Downs said he is happy the university was able to celebrate this momentous achievement with graduates in a manner that was safe for the entire community. “This has been a trying year, and we’re grateful for this opportunity to instill a small sense of normalcy, albeit without friends and loved ones,” Downs said. “This ceremony allowed us to recognize the accomplishments of our graduates, and also commemorate a fall semester where we achieved the common goal of remaining on campus.” WINTER COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY WITH LIMITED ATTENDANCE NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY | News NSU HOLDS IN-PERSON