Many Linfield students have been academically and socially displaced due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past few weeks. This left many seniors wondering what would happen with their long-anticipated commencement ceremony. 

The Linfield class of 2020 was set to graduate on Sunday, May 31 this year, but today President Miles K. Davis made the announcement that it will have to be postponed. 

The official announcement was said to be made tomorrow, but in an email at 6:15 p.m. today, Davis said graduation will be postponed to late July or early August. Debbie Harmon Ferry, who works in the office of the president, confirmed via email that the nursing pinning ceremony will also be postponed, and on the same day as commencement.  

“Students and faculty will be polled to see which date works best,” he said. 

He said although this is likely a disappointment to most of the graduating class, the decision has been made for the safety and wellbeing of the Linfield community. 

According to a Forbes calculation, at least 80 other colleges and universities have canceled or postponed their commencement ceremonies. 

“Once it is safe to gather in large crowds, we will celebrate the end of these tough times and the end of several years of hard work, commitment, and dedication,” Davis said.

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Story updated on April 10.