The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has disrupted many planned events and celebrations across the state and world, including in-person graduation ceremonies. Fort Valley State University will take a special approach to honor its spring and summer 2020 graduates.

FVSU President Dr. Paul Jones will begin contacting nearly 300 graduates today to congratulate them on their achievement. In addition to a personal phone call from the president, each graduate will receive a letter by Jones and Dr. T. Ramon Stuart, FVSU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs congratulating them on their accomplishments.

“Although the traditional ceremony scheduled for May is postponed, this is an opportunity for us to still celebrate our outstanding graduates who have worked hard this year,” Jones said. “These are uncertain times, but one factor we are certain about is that our students deserve to be recognized for this incredible milestone.”

FVSU will also participate in, Graduate Together: America Honors the Class of 2020 on May 16.

In March, FVSU, along with all 26 University System of Georgia institutions, shifted to online instruction for all courses for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester due to COVID-19.

In March, FVSU announced plans to postpone Spring Commencement to Aug. 8 for all spring and summer 2020 candidates for graduation. In a letter to campus, Dr. Jones stated, "We know this action may be a disappointment for our graduates, their families and our dedicated faculty who have all worked hard and sacrificed for this celebratory milestone. Because we understand that commencement is such a cherished event at FVSU, we plan to offer a special commencement ceremony for our spring and summer 2020 graduates on August 8, 2020, in the HPE Complex, if the CDC deems it safe to assemble in large crowds." Read more here.

FVSU’s main campus remains open, with minimal staff physically on site, to ensure continuity of services. The university continues to practice social distancing for everyone’s safety and to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Plans for the fall are forthcoming.