EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State University (MSU) announced Thursday that commencements for students graduating this winter will be virtual amid the coronavirus pandemic. Fall 2020 graduation ceremonies for MSU students will be held virtually on Dec. 18 and 19, officials said. Over 2,600 students are expected to be recognized during the virtual ceremonies. All commencement ceremonies will be streamed on MSU’s Commencement website right here. All college campuses in Michigan have been ordered closed, and college classes have had to move online as of Nov. 17 due to a surge in coronavirus spread in the state.

HILLSDALE, Mich. – There is controversy surrounding a graduation ceremony at Hillsdale College. An in-person commencement is planned for this weekend, despite concerns from health officials. The local health department is worried about a potential coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The commencement is being held Saturday, despite warnings from the health department. “Concern is that folks will be in town that do not recognize that they have COVID-19 and are spreading it,” public health officer Rebecca Burns said.

DETROIT – The clock is ticking for middle schools, high schools and colleges to figure out virtual graduation ceremonies amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But there is uncertainty on what graduation day the first week in June might actually look like -- if it does have to be virtual. They have also been in contact with organizations seeking technical support and creative input to make a virtual graduation special. On Tuesday, Microsoft stepped in with a program for 1,000 schools. The first 1,000 schools to sign up will need a 4-6 week window to let Microsoft make the graduation happen.

National program to help honor students with virtual graduationPublished: May 5, 2020, 4:15 pmThe clock is ticking for middle schools, high schools and colleges to figure out virtual graduation ceremonies amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.