The Summer 2020 Commencement Ceremony

for Saturday, Aug. 8, in Murphy Center

has been canceled

due to the COVID-19 pandemic

and the recommendations of

the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This decision, announced June 12 by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, currently affects only the university’s summer 2020 commencement ceremony.

Graduate and undergraduate students who meet all the graduation requirements will receive their diplomas by mail. If they choose, they may participate in the university’s fall 2020 commencement ceremonies in December or in a future MTSU commencement.

HONORING THE CLASS OF 2020

The university will hold a virtual commencement ceremony Saturday, Aug. 8, at 10 a.m. CDT, to recognize the members of the summer Class of 2020.

Dr. McPhee; University Provost Mark Byrnes; guest speaker Justin Gardner of the School of Agriculture, the outgoing Faculty Senate president; and other special guests will address the graduates. August graduates will be invited to participate in a future commencement ceremony.

August graduates also can make note of these important details:

• Each August 2020 MTSU graduate will receive the university’s signature True Blue Graduation Box. The boxes can be picked up at Phillips Bookstore beginning Friday, July 31, through Friday, Aug. 7. Safe distancing measures will be used during pickups, and everyone entering the bookstore must wear a mask.

• The August 2020 True Blue Graduation Box will include the graduate’s MTSU diploma cover and other items. Caps, gowns and regalia also will be available for on-site pickup with the boxes.

• Diplomas will not be included in the True Blue Graduation Box. Each graduate’s diploma will be mailed in late August, after all summer term grades are finalized and degrees conferred.

• Students who can’t pick up their True Blue Graduation Box on campus July 31–Aug. 7 can have it — and their diploma — mailed to their current address after diplomas are prepared. More details for graduates are available here. 

Dr. McPhee’s complete June 12 update is available here. 

An MTSU graduate’s personalized mortarboard encourages fellow graduates and supporters in this file photo. The university will recognize members of the summer Class of 2020 in a virtual commencement celebration set for Saturday, Aug. 8, at 10 a.m. CDT. (MTSU file photo by GradImages)

More student information about summer 2020 commencement, including a link to update mailing addresses for diplomas and the True Blue Graduation Box, is available in this FAQ from the Registrar’s Office: Information for Aug. 8, 2020, Degree Candidates.

Graduating students should check their MTSU email regularly for updates.

Information for undergraduate students about summer 2020 commencement, including deadlines and other requirements, is available here. Information for graduate students about summer 2020 commencement is available here.

A final list of all graduates will be available early in the semester following commencement on this page.

For university updates on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.mtsu.edu/coronavirus.

Stacks of MTSU degree covers await new graduates in this commencement ceremony file photo inside Murphy Center. The university has canceled its in-person summer 2020 commencement ceremony and plans a virtual celebration for Saturday, Aug. 8, at 10 a.m. CDT, to meet safety precautions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Graduating members of the summer Class of 2020 will receive their diplomas by mail. (MTSU file photo by GradImages)