Columbia College to hold graduation at Mizzou Arena
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A month after announcing the college was holding a virtual commencement ceremony, Columbia College said Friday it will hold graduation in-person at Mizzou Arena.
A release from college spokesman Sam Fleury said two graduation ceremonies for 2021 spring graduates will be held on May 1.
The first ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. and the second will start at 2:15 p.m.
The release said the University of Missouri made a "generous offer" to Columbia College to use the facility.
The college does not have a venue large enough to hold the event, officials said in the release.
“We’re grateful to the University of Missouri for offering a venue that will allow the graduates, as well as their loved ones, to celebrate their persistence and accomplishments in a safe and socially distanced manner,” Columbia College Interim President Dr. David Russell said in the release.
Graduates will be allowed to have six family members attend. Each will have an assigned seat, must wear a mask and be socially distanced from other attendees.
The release said both ceremonies will also be livestreamed.
MU announced recently its also planning to hold graduation in-person. The first ceremony will be held in April with more planned in May. The university is holding the ceremonies inside Mizzou Arena and the Hearnes Center.
