Orange City, Iowa — One of the northwest Iowa institutions of higher learning has postponed their commencement ceremony.
Northwestern College in Orange City has announced that they will postpone their 2020 commencement ceremony that was previously scheduled for May 9.
College officials say that the event was postponed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and due to guidelines for responsible social distancing.
The event is now tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 18th, with a back-up option of Sunday, Sept. 20th, as part of Raider Nation Celebration — the college’s homecoming event — if the pandemic prevents a July gathering. A schedule of events will be developed as the dates draw closer.
Northwestern President Greg Christy says that they surveyed graduating students about how they would like to celebrate commencement and they overwhelmingly voiced their desire to have an in-person ceremony. July was their first choice, with the September date their second preference. Chisty says, “Their response significantly influenced our leadership team’s decision.”
He says that commencement is a very important rite of passage, both for those who will be graduating and for Northwestern’s faculty and staff. He says they look forward to marking this occasion and milestone accomplishment with students and their families.
Meanwhile, the other four-year institution in Sioux County, Dordt University in Sioux Center is going ahead with their commencement at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 8. But Dordt officials say they anticipate this will be a virtual experience, and they will provide additional information in the coming weeks.
Photo courtesy Northwestern College
