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April 21, 2020

2020 Commencement Experience on Monday, June 8

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

I hope that you are doing okay as we continue to learn, work, and socialize remotely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, I know that many of you are enduring personal challenges as you and/or your loved ones may have fallen ill with the virus. And sadly, some have lost family members during this serious public health emergency. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts. I am extremely proud of the Baruch community's tenacity and dedication during this global crisis as we continue to maintain academic and business continuity through this troubling period.

Maintaining Traditions in the Virtual Environment
As you are aware, New York, like most states around the nation and many countries in the world, has issued bans on large gatherings. This has required colleges and universities everywhere to reimagine all of their year-end traditions and celebrations, including the annual commencement exercises.

Perhaps more than any other single event, commencement is a well-earned rite-of-passage for students who have worked so hard over many years to earn their bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. This is especially true at Baruch, where a high percentage of students are the first in the family ever to pursue a higher education degree. Since 2010-my first year as president of the College-I have come to understand that Baruch students are more dedicated, more visionary, more flexible-and ultimately, as graduates, more successful-than students from most other higher education institutions. As you know, this is my final semester as president of the College, a tenure that has been the highlight of my career so far. So like all of the 2020 graduates, I was very much looking forward to this year's Commencement at the Barclays Center.

While holding it there is not possible, we are working out the details to host a virtual Commencement experience on our long-scheduled date of Monday, June 8. Creative students, faculty, and staff are working together to ensure that the virtual celebration is special and memorable for all graduates and their families and friends around the world. We all have worked hard, and have had to endure unimaginable challenges during this spring term, and those of you who are graduating deserve to be recognized.

Your Cap and Gown Delivered at No Cost
For many, donning a cap and gown is among the most exciting parts of the graduation celebration. I certainly look forward to wearing my regalia every year for Commencement, and I will do so this year as well.

Since we cannot hold in-person distribution on campus, I am pleased to announce that Herff Jones will mail caps and gowns directly to your homes at no cost. Please visit website<https://studentaffairs.baruch.cuny.edu/studentlife/commencement/> for more information.

Looking Forward to Celebrating on June 8
We will share more information in the coming weeks as our plans develop, but I want to be sure that you save the date-Monday, June 8-when we will come together as a community to celebrate everything our graduates have worked so hard for and achieved.

Sincerely,

Mitchel B. Wallerstein, PhD
President, Baruch College


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