Letter from the President

July 30, 2020

Dear Class of 2020:

As you know it was with much sadness that we had to postpone the commencement ceremony of May 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was impossible for us to think about holding such a celebration when the entire state was under “shelter at home” guidelines. But we believed so strongly in celebrating your achievements that we announced that we would not cancel the ceremony and instead hold it on September 5, 2020. We hoped that by September the pandemic would be under control and we would be able to gather and congratulate each and every one of you for your remarkable work.

Unfortunately, the pandemic is lasting much longer than any of us predicted. It is still affecting many in the Yakima valley. It is not realistic that in September we will be able to hold any type of ceremony that resembles a commencement and truly honors your achievements. We are forced to once again announce that we must postpone the ceremony of 2020.

At Heritage University we remain committed to recognizing the class of 2020 in a commencement ceremony. We will work on alternative dates and locations. We will announce the new plan as soon as it is available.

I hope that you are staying safe during these difficult times.

Best wishes,

Andrew C. Sund, Ph.D.

President

Tassel and Hood

Tassel:  Must be worn on the right front side before degrees are conferred and then transferred to the left front side after all diplomas have been awarded in the ceremony.

Hood:  Graduate students do not wear their hoods before the ceremony, rather they carry their hoods over their left arm.  Graduate students will be individually hooded during the commencement ceremony.

Baccalaureate Honors

Baccalaureate Honors are awarded to graduates receiving a first baccalaureate degree.  The honors are based on the traditional Latin wording:  “cum laude” (with honors), “magna cum laude” (with high honors), and “summa cum laude” (with highest honors).  These honors are awarded to those who have completed no fewer than 60 credits at Heritage University and who have the following cumulative grade point average at the end of December 2019 semester:

Summa Cum Laude:  3.90 – 4.0
Magna Cum Laude:  3.60 – 3.89
Cum Laude:  3.30 – 3.59

The gold cord represents summa cum laude honors, the silver cord represents magna cum laude honors and the bronze cord represents cum laude honors.  The Red, White & Blue cords represent Armed Forces Veterans.

Please be sure to bring this honor cord to the graduation ceremony on May 9, 2020.