HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Students at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) can look forward to donning their caps and gowns. In a letter sent out to the campus, NKU President Dr. Ashish Vaidya announced the university will hold in-person commencement ceremonies for May 2021 graduates. NKU will also honor all 2020 graduates at their own ceremony.

The events will take place at a series of outdoor ceremonies on campus from May 7-9. Vaidya said the decision to host in-person ceremonies was made after consulting with the governor's office and "evaluating options to deliver a safe and meaningful commencement celebration.

The schedule of events is below:

• Commencement for Chase College of Law: Friday, May 7, at 5 p.m.
• Commencement for the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Education: Saturday, May 8, at 10 a.m.
• Commencement for the Haile/US Bank College of Business and College of Informatics: Saturday, May 8, at 3 p.m.
• Commencement for the College of Health and Human Services: Sunday, May 9 at 10 a.m.
• Commencement for May, August, and December 2020 graduates: Sunday, May 9 at 3 p.m.

Rain or shine, the ceremonies will be held on the field at the NKU Soccer Complex on campus. They will also be live-streamed.

Vaidya said that more details on the ceremonies will be available soon, but students, faculty, and more can visit nku.edu/commencement for updates or email specialevents@nku.edu with any questions.

"The pandemic has challenged us to find new ways of meeting the needs of our students while maintaining health and safety in our community," Vaidya said in the letter. "I am proud that we are able to provide this experience for our May 2021 graduates and offer our 2020 graduates an opportunity to be honored in person."

Vaidya noted the events must follow all state guidelines and are subject to change.