May 2020 Husker graduates, along with their friends, family and loved ones, are invited to a special online celebration on May 9.
“Go Big Grad: A Husker Graduation Celebration” will begin streaming at 9 a.m. on the university’s commencement website. NET, Nebraska’s PBS and NPR Stations, will broadcast the event live as well. No registration is required, and all undergraduate, masters, professional, doctoral and College of Law graduates are invited to join.
The celebration will include a “Dream Big” address from John Cook, head coach of Nebraska volleyball, along with appearances from notable Nebraska alumni. At the end of the event, Chancellor Ronnie Green will officially confer degrees to students. Graduates will receive a complimentary mortarboard or tam in a box delivered before the event, allowing them to turn their tassels together as a class.
Students can share the excitement of the day by filling out a digital slide to post online, hosting a virtual watch party with loved ones or using the hashtag #GoBigGrad on social media.
“Nebraska takes great pride in offering our students a welcoming, personal educational experience, and our commencement ceremonies are an extension of that. We have one of the highest rates of attendance nationally — around 83% — so while it’s a disappointment to all of us that we can’t share this celebration in person, we want to provide students the closest thing to it,” said Vanessa Gorman, professor of history and chair of the university’s commencement committee.
Diplomas will be mailed to graduates after May 9. Students should log in to their MyRED account by April 24 to fill out a Diploma Distribution form and confirm their correct mailing address. On the form, students can also submit feedback on their interest in participating in a future commencement ceremony. Plans for including students in future ceremonies are in the works.
“We absolutely want to welcome all of these graduates to return in the future, once campus is reopened, to walk across the stage in cap and gown and have that once-in-a-lifetime moment to share with their friends and family,” Gorman said.
In the meantime, Gorman is looking forward to celebrating with students during the virtual event.
“Graduation is always a bittersweet time of the year,” Gorman said. “We have to say goodbye and farewell to people who have played a huge role in our lives. I hope our students realize how much we value them, how very much we will miss them and that we wish them all the best in the future.”
