Coronavirus Update 4/30/2020: Commencement

Dear graduating students,

Many of you are heading into finals week and I wish you the very best as you complete your studies at Bay Path. You have worked hard and deserve to be recognized and celebrated for your years of hard work. As I indicated in my email to you earlier this month, the decision to postpone our May 17 Commencement ceremony and all related activities was made with a heavy heart.

But as I also said, we will celebrate you.

Following that email, graduating students received a survey asking for input regarding the rescheduling of Commencement. Many of you completed the survey, helping to inform our planning process. I am pleased to provide you with an update:

The vast majority of respondents indicated October (over December) as your preferred date. Accordingly, Saturday, October 17 is the anticipated new Commencement date for the Bay Path class of 2020! Graduation ceremonies will be held at Symphony Hall in downtown Springfield. We are early in the planning stages, and will continue to monitor state and national guidelines regarding large gatherings as the months unfold. We will strive to create a celebratory ceremony while keeping the health and safety of our community as a priority and will keep you posted.

But we are not going to let Sunday, May 17 slip by without celebrating you! Be on the lookout in your Bay Path inbox for special greetings from your fans at Bay Path.

Even though Commencement has been postponed, the awarding of your degree (also known as the conferring of your degree) has not! Shortly after you finish your last semester and we verify that you have completed your degree requirements, your diploma will be ordered and shipped directly to the primary address that we have on file for you. Your diploma is expected to arrive 3-4 weeks after your degree has been conferred. If you need to update the primary address that we have on file for you, it is important that you do so in advance of your conferral date. You can make this update online by navigating to the Personal Information Update Form on the MyBayPath Portal.

Also, we ask that if you have not done so, please complete the Graduating Student Survey which was referenced in an email to you in late January. You will receive a reminder email shortly with the link for this important survey that provides us with rich information about your experience and future plans.

I am very disappointed that I will not have the chance to personally give you your diploma and shake your hand on May 17. But please know I will be cheering virtually and sending all good wishes your way. Congratulations, Bay Path University class of 2020!

Yours,
Dr. Leary