Pamplin College of Business to hold Class of 2020 online commencement Friday, May 15

Working in conjunction with PRISM – Pamplin’s faculty-led, student-run marketing communications agency – the Pamplin College of Business will honor and congratulate the Class of 2020 through a variety of virtual celebrations, culminating with the Pamplin commencement ceremony the evening of May 15. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has transitioned the graduation ceremony away from the more “traditional” model, the virtual ceremony will be no less special for the Class of 2020 and may prove to be even more memorable.

The planned and ongoing University and Pamplin celebrations for the Class of 2020 are as follows:

30-Day Countdown to Graduation

Ongoing

Kicked off on April 15, and continuing until graduation day, May 15, this countdown gives students an opportunity to share their voice on the Pamplin social media channels (Facebook and Instagram). The Class of 2020 will highlight where they are, where they’ve been, and where they’re going!

Senior Slideshow

Released May 1

A slideshow of senior photo submissions and videos that encompasses their time at Virginia Tech. The slideshow is available on all Pamplin social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) and can be shared by parents and students. To submit photos and videos for the slideshow, please email prism.vt@gmail.com.

Social Media Graduation Graphics

May 11

A variety of graduation graphics have been created by the PRISM team for use by members of the Class of 2020. These include: Facebook graduation profile picture, which enables Pamplin graduates to update their profile picture with a GIF of a moving Virginia Tech Pamplin graduation cap; a VT photo collage, a collage of senior photo submissions will be made into the VT logo for seniors to share on graduation day; and, Instagram graduation GIFs, Pamplin inspired graduation GIFs for grads to post on their Instagram story.

Virginia Tech Online Commencement

May 15, 6:30 p.m. EDT

The online ceremony will be available on the Virginia Tech homepage and the university's commencement website. The ceremony will feature inspirational remarks from notable Hokies, including Miss America 2020 Camille Schirer '18, legendary defensive coordinator Bud Foster, and world-renowned poet and University Distinguished Professor Nikki Giovanni. Virginia Tech President Tim Sands and Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril Clarke will also speak and confer degrees.

Graduates and their families, friends, and loved ones are encouraged to tune in early at 6:15 p.m. to enjoy memories from classmates and see special messages.

Pamplin College of Business Online Commencement

May 15, 7:30 p.m. EDT (approximately)

After the VT Commencement Ceremony is done, you will be directed to your college "room". This is a page on the vt.edu website that is specific to your college (in this case, Pamplin College of Business).

The Pamplin ceremony will feature opening remarks from Dean Robert Sumichrast, and an address from Pamplin’s Outstanding Senior, Andrew Luo. There will be a reading of the names of the graduates, followed by the debut of a special graduation video, courtesy of PRISM.

The Pamplin College of Business will honor 961 graduates of the Class of 2020. The names and photos of each graduate will be listed on the Pamplin website. The Class of 2020 commencement ceremony will be an unprecedented event, and we look forward to sharing it with everyone!

- Written by Jeremy Norman