UTEP Moves 2020 Spring Commencement Ceremony to September

Students graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso this spring will still be able to celebrate their accomplishment in a somewhat traditional, in-person commencement ceremony; they'll just have to wait a few months.

UTEP officials announced the ceremony that was put on hold in March because of the coronavirus pandemic will take place September 12. As a safety precaution, and to allow for social distancing, it will be held at Sun Bowl Stadium instead of the Don Haskins Center. Because each graduate will only be permitted up to two guests, the ceremony will be live-streamed to allow extended family and friends to watch.

And while the traditional walk across the stage will have to wait until the fall, graduating students will still receive their degrees as scheduled.

In a letter to graduates posted on the university website, President Heather Wilson congratulated them on adapting to the challenges they had to face this year.

While I won’t shake your hand until the fall, I wanted to let you know now how proud we are of you. In many ways, the oddity of this semester highlights your accomplishments in ways you might not have considered.
Each of you has reached this milestone through determination and perseverance. When there were challenges, you met them head-on.
Despite the uncertainty that the pandemic challenge has brought, you have once again pushed through, looked forward, and focused on what needed to be done for yourself, your family and your community.