11 May WSC honors 2020 graduates virtually
WSC will celebrate its 59th Commencement virtually.
WILLISTON, N.D. – In response to COVID-19, Williston State College will celebrate its graduating students for the 2019-2020 academic year virtually.
To enable friends and family to watch together and share congratulatory messages for graduates, WSC’s Fifty-Ninth Commencement ceremony will be released on Friday, May 15, 2020 at 10 a.m. as a Facebook Watch Party on the WSC Facebook page (@willistonstate).
The virtual commencement video will also be available on the WSC YouTube channel (@willistonstate) and WSC’s website at www.willistonstate.edu/graduation.
“It is important to have a ‘virtual’ program to recognize the hard work our students put in during a difficult and often uncertain time,” emphasized Kim Wray, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Students need to know we are proud of their hard work and flexibility and this was one way we could demonstrate that.”
Students who completed the coursework to earn degrees from WSC in Fall 2019, Spring 2020, and Summer 2020 will be recognized during the virtual ceremony.
“WSC anticipates awarding 452 degrees to 277 graduates in 14 different programs,” explained Jen Nebeker, Registrar and Research Analyst. “Our graduates often earn more than one degree.”
Degrees awarded this year include:
- 202 Associates in Arts or Associates in Science
- 89 Associates of Applied Sciences
- 80 Certificates
- 68 Certificates of Completion
Of the 277 students anticipating graduation, 46% of graduates received the Williams or Regional County Scholarships.
In addition to degrees, the following groups, typically recognizable with designated stoles and/or cords, will be marked in the digital program:
- Honor students (3.5 or higher GPA)
- Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), WSC’s honor society
- Student Senators, student liaisons to college administration, staff, faculty, and alumni
- Veterans
- Teton LEAD students, completed 40 hours of service learning during the academic year
This year’s graduation program will include introductory remarks from WSC President, Dr. John Miller, student speakers, Alexis Gunderson and Jordan Kulczyk, and the announcement and conferral of degrees by Wray and Dr. Kim Weismann, Professor of Communication.
In addition, a posthumous degree will be awarded to Aubrey Davis Webster, a WSC student lost in an automobile accident last fall. Webster was on track to graduate at the end of Fall 2019. Her degree will be sent to her husband and their four daughters.
“Graduation is a celebration of academic accomplishment,” explained Dr. Miller. “While we may be unable to host a traditional ceremony, it is important that we recognize the accomplishments of our students.”
WSC will mail diplomas in mid-June along with a diploma cover, a commencement program, and a 2020 tassel courtesy of the WSC Foundation. Students will be notified via WSC email when packages are mailed.
In addition, some special Graduation 2020 surprises will be included! Be sure to follow WSC on Facebook (@willistonstate) and Instagram (@williston_state_college) for future updates!
Students can also arrange to pick up their diploma package by contacting wsc.records@willistonstate.edu.
For more information on WSC’s Commencement, please contact Kim Wray, Vice President for Academic Affairs, at 701.774.4500 or kimberli.wray@willistonstate.edu.
For more information, please visit www.willistonstate.edu, call 701.774.4200, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.