Commencement for the University of Alabama at Birmingham this summer will now be held virtually, after large, indoor gatherings have been canceled due to increasing COVID-19 infections. UAB hosted virtual commencement ceremonies throughout 2020.
The three ceremonies had been scheduled for UAB’s Bartow Arena, where the university normally hosts commencement celebrations. However, due to the Delta variant, rising COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations are growing rapidly in the state while vaccination rates remain low. In response to this, and in consultation with UAB infectious disease and public health experts, UAB is canceling large indoor events to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the community. As a result, summer 2021 commencement will be held virtually.
At least 1,821 students are eligible to graduate this summer. The three virtual ceremonies will premiere on the UAB YouTube page; the link to the page will be shared on Facebook.
- All graduate students, except those from the School of Nursing, will be featured in a virtual ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13.
- All School of Nursing graduates, both undergraduate and graduate, will be featured in a virtual ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14.
- All other undergraduates will be featured in a virtual ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14.
Visit uab.edu/commencement for additional information.
UAB leaders had been looking forward to celebrating the university’s dedicated students and faculty during commencement weekend, and necessary changes to the plans in no way diminish their pride and enthusiasm in student accomplishments, says Provost Pam Benoit.
“We are disappointed and apologize for this change to the special event,” Benoit said. “As we have moved through the pandemic, we have always been prepared to make changes quickly to adhere to the most current health and safety guidelines and that is what we must do now. We are so proud of our students and understand how disappointing this news is.”
Graduating students will also have the option to register to walk in future UAB commencement ceremonies. In May 2021, UAB hosted approximately 340 graduates from 2020 and was honored to recognize them.
UAB’s virtual commencement kit has everything Blazers need to celebrate online and at home with craft and food ideas and digital goodies, including shareable UAB-themed social media stickers, GIFs and filters; make-your-own decorations; download the UAB Fight Song; a custom UAB Spotify playlist; Blazer Bites recipes posted with a video how-to; and choose from a selection of Zoom backgrounds.