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Some Montana Universities Cancel In-Person Fall Commencement

The Montana State University logo.
Tim Evanson
/
Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Montana State University sign on campus

Commencement will go forward for some state universities in Montana this fall but each is taking a different approach.

Montana State University Billings recently announcedthe in-person fall commencement ceremony scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21 at MetraPark has been moved to a virtual event, with details to be announced later.

The decision follows a health order from Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton limiting gatherings to no more than 25 people through Nov. 9.

Chancellor Rolf Groseth said the change "is not the optimal format in which we wish to celebrate the successes of our graduates."

All MSUB graduates from fall 2019 through fall 2020 are invited.

MSUB said alumni who graduated in summer and fall 2019, and spring and summer of 2020, and fall 2020 graduates are invited to participate.

Montana State University will hold two in person commencement ceremonies on Sunday, Nov. 22 in Bobcat Stadium. The 11 A.M. and 2 P.M. ceremonies will celebrate celebrating spring, summer and fall 2020 graduates.

MSU spokesman Mike Becker said each graduate will be limited to two guests. The ceremony will be lived streamed for those unable to attend.

A University of Montana spokesperson told YPR that UM's commencement ceremony is being postponed until Spring 2021.

Kay Erickson has been working in broadcasting in Billings for more than 20 years. She spent well over a decade as news assignment editor at KTVQ-TV before joining the staff at YPR. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, with a degree in broadcast journalism. Shortly after graduation she worked in Great Falls where she was one of the first female sports anchor and reporter in Montana.