LCCC graduation to remain virtual

Lorain County Community College's graduation will remain virtual this year, but with an in-person component for graduates. The virtual ceremony will be on the original date, May 15. That will be the official conferring of degrees for friends and families to watch. But Vice President of Strategic and Institutional Development Tracy Green said officials spoke with students about what they wanted to do for graduation. She said they requested an in-person option of the most monumental part of graduation — crossing the stage. Graduates who are interested in walking across the stage can schedule a time over graduation weekend. They will be able to bring a couple of family members and cross the stage to receive their diploma. Green said if there is an overwhelming number of requests to schedule, the college will expand the number of slots available. Last year, LCCC put out a large flag display representing the graduating class. Students could take pictures with it after graduation. Green said administrators had no idea what a big hit that would be. She said they want to have it again this year, although the display will be different from last year's. That flag display will be up May 13-23. Everything for the display is being created out of LCCC's FabLab. Green said the college has had conversations with students over the past year about graduation. She said many of them have lost loved ones or had major life events disrupted due to the pandemic. "They faced a lot of barriers this year and we wanted to recognize their achievement," Green said. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.