NORFOLK, Va. - Pictures on campus, saying goodbye to friends and, of course, walking across the graduation stage.
It's all part of a typical graduation day, but the COVID-19 pandemic is ensuring that 2020 is anything but typical.
Tidewater Community College is still honoring this year's Spring graduates, however, with a virtual commencement scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m.
In March, Virginia's Community Colleges canceled all May commencements due to COVID-19, including what would have been TCC's 70th commencement ceremony at ODU's Chartway Arena.
TCC says its online ceremony will stream on its Graduation webpage and on Youtube.
It will feature speeches from college President Marcia Conston and various students along with the awarding of certificates and degrees.
Graduate names and photos will also be displayed during the ceremony. The college says those who RSVP'd by the April 20 deadline will receive a number of gifts including a tassel and diploma case.
According to a release, the decision to hold an online ceremony "honors guidelines announced by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and is in line with CDC regulations for social distancing to deter the spread of COVID-19."
