LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Traditional pomp and circumstance, robes, stoles, hats, and of course graduates. All things we should be seeing a lot of right now, but the coronavirus has snuffed out this rite of passage.

University of Louisville graduates traditionally celebrate commencement at the KFC Yum! Center. Saturday, May 9, UofL will honor its graduates with a virtual graduation ceremony on the school's website.

The ceremony begins at 10:00 am; the same time the actual ceremony would have taken place. 

More than 3,200 degrees and certificates will be given to graduates across UofL's schools and colleges. According to the school, more than half are bachelor's degrees, and hundreds of master's and doctoral degrees, in addition to professional and post-graduate certificates, will be given out. 

“We cannot be with our graduates physically, we can’t throw up our L’s and pose for selfies with them, but we are a Cardinal family and they are in our hearts,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “We know that our virtual celebration won’t take the place of walking across the stage while loved ones look on, and we are still committed to a formal ceremony later this year when we are again able to safely gather in larger numbers. What we hope is our newly minted grads will know we share in the joy of their accomplishment. You have done the work, we are so proud of you and this is but one way for us to come together virtually to celebrate this important achievement.”

The virtual commencement will feature video performances by the School of Music faculty and the Cardinal Marching Band, a video message from President Bendapudi. There will also be video messages from other special guests. 

The site will also show off user-generated content from social media posts using the hashtag #UofLGrads2020, so graduates, family, and friends can celebrate memories and offer congratulations.