(Bradenton, Fla., April 21, 2020) – State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) will honor its Spring 2020 graduates with a virtual ceremony Friday, May 1, from 3-5 p.m., to be broadcast on Sarasota Community Radio WSLR, 96.5 FM. A video conference of the platform party and a presentation will also be streamed live on the College’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/StateCollegeofFlorida. Students, family, friends and community members can participate in the ceremony by calling or texting the radio station or via Facebook posting.
SCF had made the decision earlier to postpone the traditional commencement program for the wellbeing and safety of students, faculty, staff and the community, and in alignment with the recommendations of the CDC, DOH, and local and state authorities. However, they were looking for an alternative way to celebrate this milestone for graduating students.
SCF President Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld said, “This is a bittersweet time for our graduating class, who are being denied the experience of a traditional commencement due to the Coronavirus. So, we’ve decided to do something different — something out of the box — to create a meaningful experience that can be shared with classmates, friends and family, wherever they may be.”
The broadcast will include music, an invocation as well as College dignitaries who will join the ceremony via video conference. Outstanding Graduate and Outstanding Faculty Excellence awards will also be announced. This will be a unique way of celebrating with SCF graduates and recognizing their success. After the degrees are conferred, there will be an opportunity for family, friends and members of the community to be able to call and text congratulatory messages to individual graduates or the entire SCF Class of 2020 on the air. Anyone watching on Facebook Live will also be able to add congratulatory messages throughout the event.
“As a community-owned-and-operated radio station, WSLR is seeking nontraditional ways to serve our community during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Arlene Sweeting, WSLR Manager. “We were happy to provide airtime to SCF to help ensure that their graduation ceremony is accessible to all that are interested in participating.”
2020 Spring graduates will receive their diplomas by mail, accompanied by a special commemorative program. Graduates are also invited to walk at the Winter 2020 ceremony in December if they choose to do so. To learn more about SCF, visit SCF.edu.
