In light of the COVID-19 precaution of social distancing,
the popular Arts for the Community at Thomas University (ACTU) will move events
online for everyone to enjoy from their homes in a series of “Thomasville Live”
performances.
Thomas University officials announced today that it is
postponing its Honors Ceremony, originally scheduled for May 8, and its
Commencement, originally scheduled for May 9, due to the COVID-19 coronavirus
threat. Commencement will now take place in December. Graduates who are unable
to participate in December may choose to participate in the Spring 2021
Commencement.
“The decision to postpone our Commencement was not an easy
one,” said Dr. Andy Sheppard, TU President. “Ultimately, we decided to follow
the CDC’s guidelines so that we can protect the health of our graduates, their
families, and the broader TU community.”
Degrees will be conferred on graduating students’
transcripts a couple of weeks after final grades are posted. Diplomas will be
mailed to students six to eight weeks after their degrees are conferred.
Information about the December Commencement ceremony will be
made available once arrangements are finalized.
“We know that graduation is a special moment, and we want
graduates to enjoy it as much as possible,” Sheppard said. “Although a
deferred event is not ideal, we look forward to celebrating this monumental
achievement with our graduates in December after the current health crisis has
passed.”
Today Thomas University administrators announced that spring
break, which was originally scheduled for March 9-13, will be extended by one
week. Classes will resume on Monday, March 23, and all in-person classes will
transition to an online format.
Thomas University Social Work students attended the annual Social
Work Advocacy Day held by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) on
Feb. 13 at the State Capitol in Atlanta.
Members of Thomas University’s Psychology Club delivered flowers, colored, and spoke with the residents of Camellia Gardens on Friday, Feb. 14. Dr. Steve DePaola, Associate Professor of Psychology, said “Giving students the opportunity to reach out to others within the community enhances their education, taking it beyond classroom doors.”
On Saturday, Feb. 22, Bill Simmons (left), President of the Magnolia High School Alumni Association, and Ben Williams (right), Vice President of the Magnolia High School Association, presented a donation for student scholarships to Dr. Andy Sheppard, President of Thomas University, during the TU Men’s Basketball game against Webber International University. TU’s Magnolia Campus is the former home of Magnolia High School.
Beginning
in the fall of 2020, Thomas University students can earn a bachelor’s degree in
Natural Resource and Conservation Management. The program is designed to give
students a background in biological, environmental and geospatial topics
necessary for decisions in resources and conservation management.
The next installment in Thomas University’s Science Café series will feature Florida State University’s Dr. Mimi Graham presenting “The Effects of Trauma in Early Childhood” on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
