UM to hold in-person graduation ceremony

MISSOULA – The University of Montana will celebrate the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 with two in-person, socially distanced Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 1, in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Honorary doctorate recipient William “Bill” Franke will be the Commencement speaker for the 9 a.m. ceremony. Aislinn Roux, a three-time UM graduate and daughter of honorary doctorate recipient Bonnie Heavy Runner, will be the speaker for the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Because of COVID-19 mitigation efforts, only students who RSVP’d and their invited guests are allowed to attend Commencement ceremonies this year. Each graduating student is limited to four guests. All attendees will be required to wear masks, socially distance and participate in contact tracing.

A livestream of UM Commencement will be available.

UM will present two honorary doctorates this year. UM benefactor and respected businessman Franke will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Business. The late Heavy Runner, a tribal court judge and staunch advocate for Native American causes, will receive a posthumous Honorary Doctorate of Law.