WSU Graduation | Photo by Mark Anderson
The coronavirus has caused events and projects across the Wright State University (WSU) Dayton and Lake Campuses to be altered or put on hold all together.
The Champion Garden
Prior to the coronavirus, the Veteran and Military Center had announced plans to begin fundraising for what they call the Champion Garden. Between Millet Hall and Lot 10 would be a memorial garden dedicated to WSU alumni who served our country.
The project was meant to be community funded, with various donation amounts available for contributions ranging from $25 to $100,000. Each donation amount would offer a different benefit for the donor, such as engraved dog tags and benches.
However, due to the coronavirus, the project has been put completely on hold.
“It’s a challenging time to raise funds right now,” said Director of Undergraduate Retainment Seth Gordon. “As long as people are out of work and the food banks are slammed, we will not be pursuing the Champion Garden for now”.
For more information on what the project would have been, see the Champion Garden website: http://www.wright.edu/veteran-and-military-center/champion-garden
Spring and Fall 2020 Commencement
After months of waiting for a plan on how Spring 2020 graduates would be able to celebrate their success at WSU, President Sue Edwards announced on Sept. 14 that spring commencement will be held virtually on Oct. 24.
WSU students were disappointed to hear this latest update from President Edwards.
“Our high school in Fairborn pulled off an in-person commencement in the spring,’ said WSU nursing student Robert Borger, who is set to graduate in spring 2021, “I think a lot of people would be upset after 4 plus years of hard work and dedication and they don’t get to physically see that moment”.
Nonetheless, President Edwards assures the WSU community that this decision was made in the best interest of students.
“A committee of students, faculty, and staff worked for months on contingency plans for some form of face-to-face celebration,” said President Sue Edwards. “But as we entered the fall semester, I decided it was more important to hold a virtual event before the end of the year to celebrate our graduates and their hard work.”
In addition, the fall 2020 commencement will also be held virtually Dec 12.
Fall 2020 graduates are encouraged to be on the lookout for an email from graduation@wright.edu in the coming weeks with information on how to virtually invite friends and family to the ceremony. Further information on deadlines, attire, and other information can be found on the WSU Commencement website: https://www.wright.edu/event/commencement-graduation-ceremony/ceremony-information
