Message from President Casey

Dear McDaniel Class of 2020,

A few weeks ago, I shared our decision to not hold our planned May 23 Commencement ceremonies this year due to the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). I also made a promise that we would still find a special way to celebrate you.

First, I want to assure you that we remain committed to having an in-person Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020. Your Commencement ceremony will be held on campus on the same date as Commencement for the Class of 2021 in the spring of 2021. Though you will be sharing a Commencement date, our Class of 2020 ceremony will be separate and distinct from our Class of 2021 ceremony, giving the Class of 2020 a special opportunity to connect and celebrate together. I look forward to welcoming you back on the Hill then. Additional details will be forthcoming.

I would also like to announce that McDaniel will be hosting a Celebration Day for the Class of 2020 on May 23 when we will salute your achievements on what would have been your Commencement day. Virtual events will take place throughout the day, including a Class of 2020 slideshow on the McDaniel College website, virtual senior awards ceremonies, virtual receptions hosted by Academic Departments and Graduate Programs, and a virtual bell ringing ceremony to allow each of you as members of the Class of 2020 to ring-out together to conclude the day. I invite you to participate in any or all of these events. More information can be found at McDaniel.edu/Commencement. Please be on the lookout for a special gift from the College for you to open on Celebration Day.

The Class of 2020 will also be celebrated throughout the week of May 18 with a variety of activities as part of a virtual senior week. We hope that all of you with your families and friends will join in the festivities and help us cheer on the Class of 2020 by sharing photos or messages using #McDaniel20.

And, as previously announced, diplomas will be mailed out in the month of June to the address listed on your Application for Graduation. If you need to make any changes to the address, please notify Alysson Cruz, Assistant Registrar, at acruz@mcdaniel.edu.

As your final semester at McDaniel comes to an end in a way no one could have expected when it began, I continue to be amazed by your resiliency. I am proud of all you have accomplished during your time here on the Hill and especially want to acknowledge your flexibility in adapting to a new online learning environment. You have all demonstrated what your liberal arts education has taught you and shown that our community truly comes at any challenge like a Green Terror.

We are all McDaniel,

President Roger Casey

*Please note, a slightly revised version of this email was sent to our graduating master's degree candidates.