Graduations gearing up

HURON TWP. — Upcoming graduates at two local higher education institutions don't need to worry about nontraditional ceremonies this year. This spring, Bowling Green State University and Terra State Community College will host in-person graduation events for students and their families. Last year, the pandemic forced high schools, colleges and universities around the U.S. to come up with creative ways to celebrate students completing their education. But now, as COVID-19 vaccines are available and with cases decreasing, both schools want to properly commemorate their graduates. Each institution shared its plans. BGSU For the first time in two years, Bowling Green State University main campus and BGSU Firelands students can graduate in-person this spring. In 2020, graduates were celebrated via a virtual ceremony. In the past, BGSU Firelands planned its own graduation ceremony at the Huron Township campus. BGSU in-person graduations will take place at these dates and times: • 7 p.m. Friday, April 30 • 9 a.m. Saturday, May 1 • 2 p.m. May 1 • 7 p.m. May 1 • 9 a.m. Sunday, May 2 • 2 p.m. May 2 Each ceremony will occur, rain or shine, at Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green. All 2020 and 2021 graduates are invited to attend. All graduates who want to attend must fill out an RSVP sent to their university email account to send back through April 15. "Colleges will not be assigned to a specific ceremony, however, graduates will be grouped by college/degree at each ceremony," the university's website states. "Both 2020 and 2021 graduates from any college may choose from the available ceremonies when filling out the RSVP form. There will be limited seating capacity for each ceremony and guest tickets will be limited to four per graduate." To make sure in-person ceremonies can happen, BGSU is working with the Wood County Health Department to take proper health and safety precautions. For instance, all graduates and their guests will be required to wear face coverings and stay at least 6 feet from others who are not in their household. Guest tickets and graduate programs will also be electronic, and spring 2021 graduates will receive a printed program in the mail. Anyone who cannot attend the ceremonies in-person can watch a livestream at BGSU's website and social networking pages. A virtual celebration will also be available for graduates who wish to celebrate virtually. Videos of graduate names read by each college will be available online. More graduation information can be found at bgsu.edu. Terra State On Friday, May 7, Terra State will host three graduation ceremonies, one for each academic division, at its Fremont campus: • The allied health, nursing and science division is scheduled for 5 p.m. • Liberal arts and business division at 6:30 p.m. • Technology and skilled trades division at 8 p.m. "Students in transfer pathways will attend the liberal arts and division ceremony, except mortuary science students, who will attend the allied health, nursing and science division ceremony," according to the college's website. Last year, students signed up for individual time slots to accept their diplomas, in their caps and gowns, on campus and invite up to four family members to accompany them. Temperature scans and facial coverings were required. For this year's festivities, students can bring up to four guests, who must sit together and social distance themselves from others. Those who have applied to graduate will be sent an RSVP form via their Terra State email. "This past year has been difficult for everyone, including our students who have had to transition to learning remotely," president Ron Schumacher said. "We hope that this year's ceremony is the perfect closing to their time at Terra State, surrounded by fellow classmates and family." Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood