Delaware Tech class of 2020 to walk in spring 2021

Delaware Technical Community College class of 2020 is invited to walk with the class of 2021 next spring, spokesperson Christine Gillan confirmed.

The offer was made after weeks of protest by students, who were informed by President Mark Brainard April 3 that graduation would be held virtually only.

Many students emailed Brainard, created online petitions and contacted state and local representatives to urge the college to reconsider and allow graduates to walk in a fall 2020 ceremony.

“We just didn't think it would be likely that we would be able to host these events safely in the fall with thousands of people,” Gillan said. “It made sense to us to include our 2020 graduates in our ceremonies in May 2021.”

Student Kasie Bell, who attends Del Tech’s Dover campus and created a petition on change.org, said April 21 that her invitation to the 2020 virtual graduation included an invitation to join the spring 2021 commencement. 

“I am so happy the college decided to do the right thing and let the students walk, even if it is at the next graduation,” Bell said. “It should definitely be safe by then [spring 2021]. The students' voices were heard and the mission accomplished.”  

Virtual ceremonies for each campus will be livestreamed at dtcc.edu at 6 p.m., Monday, May 11, Terry Campus; at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, Owens Campus; at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, Stanton Campus; and at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 14, Wilmington Campus.