Over 700 viewers for EOU’s virtual ceremony

Over 700 viewers for EOU’s virtual ceremony

June 23, 2020 LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University celebrated 840 graduates at its virtual conferral ceremony on June 13. 

“This was our first time attempting something like this and our staff went above and beyond to put it together over the last couple of months,” said EOU President Tom Insko.

More than 700 viewers tuned in to watch the conferral ceremony when it was streamed live over the internet, and the video has now been viewed over 7,000 times. 

“Graduation is our favorite time of year,” Insko said. “It’s always an honor to recognize our students who work so hard to achieve their goals. It was especially meaningful this year to still be able to do that even from a distance.”

So far in 2019-20, the university has officially awarded 343 degrees, and that total is expected to rise to 729 as staff process remaining graduation applications. Anticipating that all applicants have completed their degree requirements, EOU would award 641 undergraduate degrees and 87 master’s degrees in this academic year. 

“We are really proud of this spring’s graduates,” Insko said. “They overcame great challenges, and that resilience will continue to serve them as they take the next steps in their journey.”

The ceremony concluded with a multitude of videos of faculty and staff members applauding graduates, in a show of respect that echoes an honored commencement tradition. 

EOU plans to resume on-campus activities in the fall with classes in person and in flexible formats. An in-person commencement ceremony is also in development for those graduates who wish to participate. 

The virtual conferral ceremony is available to watch at livestream.com/eou.