Spring commencement will move online this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Pitt announced Wednesday. 

According to University spokesperson Kevin Zwick, the University made this decision so that graduating seniors could get recognition for their hard work.

“Our graduating students have shared that some form of recognition this spring, celebrating their academic achievements, is important,” Zwick said. “This input led us to create the virtual event on April 26, which does not replace our traditional commencement event.”

Commencement will take place on the originally scheduled date of April 26, hosted via commencement.pitt.edu. The virtual ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. EST, lasting 30 minutes with remarks from Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, Provost Ann Cudd and four unnamed graduating students.

According to the press release, the University will host an in-person commencement ceremony for spring 2020 graduates “when circumstances permit large gatherings again,” but no further information was provided.

“The University community is determined not to let this class’s milestone go unmarked,” the press release said.

More information on spring commencement activities will be emailed to students when it becomes available, the press release said.