March 31, 2021

Media Contacts:
Erin Tofte, associate dean of campus life, equity and inclusion, 509-682-6868
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436 (Mon. – Thurs.)

Wenatchee Valley College has announced the decision to host both graduation ceremonies and the nurses pinning ceremony virtually for 2021.

The difficult decision was made in collaboration with college administrators, student services staff and student government.

“We understand that this news may be disappointing for our graduates and their families and we know the hard work and dedication our students have put in to completing their degrees,” said Erin Tofte, WVC associate dean of campus life, equity and inclusion. “However, we feel an obligation to our students, employees and community at large to make the safest choice we can.”

WVC will be using the same service as last year, which allowed students to submit photos and videos to be shared during the virtual live-stream ceremony. The deadline to apply for graduation is Monday, May 3. Graduates will then receive separate instructions to submit their materials and to apply to be a part of the virtual ceremony.

“Not all of our students are local. We have students from three different counties, international students and student families from multiple states who attend graduation,” Tofte said.

The Wenatchee campus virtual commencement is currently scheduled for Friday, June 18. Omak campus is scheduled for Saturday, June 19. The nurses pinning ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 18.

Graduation speakers have been confirmed. Speaking will be Jean Rodgers, Omak Business Faculty, and Rocío Carrión of I AM Empowerment. Learn more about Carrión at iamempowermentllc.com.

More details will be announced as the date draws closer and updates will be posted at wvc.edu/Graduation.

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu.

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Director of Student Access, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.