CENTRAL — Southern Wesleyan University has remained student-focused and open for business by temporarily converting all of its on-site classes to online and has now announced changes to graduation.

Due to concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak and federal and state bans on larger groups meeting together, Southern Wesleyan University will be creating a variety of commencement opportunities for prospective spring graduates, including converting the already established May 8 graduation ceremony on its Central campus to a virtual event.

Southern Wesleyan University president Dr. Todd Voss said in a letter emailed to graduates, “I write to all of you personally today to thank you for entrusting your educational experience to Southern Wesleyan University and to acknowledge how life-shifting this pandemic is for everyone connected to SWU.”

Southern Wesleyan plans to video stream a virtual graduation ceremony on May 8 at 10 a.m. and will be releasing more details soon on how graduates and their families can participate. Voss said plans to encourage graduates to submit their photo wearing semi-formal attire or wearing a cap and gown for use in the virtual ceremony are a part of the developing plan. He added that spring graduates will receive their diploma by mail and that they will read about several more options to celebrate this milestone through the summer or fall as well as considering the option to physically participate in winter commencement, scheduled to take place Dec. 11.

“Our goal is to make every option as personal and celebratory as possible,” Voss said. “These graduates are part of our SWU family and they deserve our best efforts to honor their accomplishments.”

For updates and details, visit swu.edu/graduation.