Virtual, Limited In-Person Activities Planned for August Commencement

Pacific University will host a virtual ceremony for August Commencement.

Scheduled for Aug. 14, August Commencement traditionally celebrates the graduation of graduate and professional students, mostly in the College of Health Professions. The ceremony usually includes more than 300 graduates and thousands of faculty, family and other guests.

Due to current COVID-19 trends and restrictions, this large-scale gathering is not feasible in August. The CDC continues to recommend against large gatherings, including for people who are fully vaccinated, and current guidance restricts Pacific from hosting guests at university events, on or off campus.

While we are disappointed to miss the traditional ceremony, we are committed to honoring and celebrating the achievements of our graduating students.

The formal August Commencement ceremony will be presented as a pre-recorded video, featuring speeches, degree conferrals, and slides recognizing each graduating student.

Individual programs are invited to host their own — virtual only — celebrations to recognize graduating students within their cohorts.

Pacific also will host small, informal portrait and stage-walk sessions for each cohort on graduation weekend, to allow students the commemorative experience of crossing a stage and to allow families to watch via live stream. These sessions will be optional and are not ceremonies; students are discouraged from traveling to attend.

Please watch for more information and registration details coming soon.