FGCU will host virtual graduation

FGCU will host virtual graduation in lieu of a traditional commencement ceremony due to coronavirus.

CONTACT WITH THAT STUDENT ANDMAKE SURE THEY SELF-QUARANTINEAS WELL.GRADUATION CEREMONIES ACROSS THECOUNTRY ARE GOING TO LOOK *VERYDIFFERENT THIS YEAR -- ANDSOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS NOEXCEPTION.TO HELP MAKE-UP FOR THECANCELLED FESTIVITIES -- FGCUANNOUNCED TODAY IT WILL BEHOLDING A *VIRTUAL GRADUATIONCEREMONY FOR STUDENTS.FOX 4’S ROCHELLE ALLEYNE SHARESTHE SPECIAL MESSAGE THE FGCUPRESIDENT HAS FOR THOSESTUDENTS.14-19127-133((fade under))"I feel okay"THIS ISN’T HOW ESTA MINAIETHOUGHT THE THE FGCU CAMPUSWOULD LOOK--WHEN IT WAS HER TIME TO FINALLYSAY GOODBYE.((Esta Minaie//FGCU DoctorateStudent))"I’m in my eighth year there andyeah I should be graduatingthere on May 3."CORONAVIRUS IS TAKING AWAY HERCHANCE TO WALK ACROSS THE STAGETHAT DAY.((Esta Minaie//FGCU DoctorateStudent))"It could be worse and they aredoing something for us, sothat’s nice."THAT SOMETHING -- IS A VIRTUALGRADUATION -- FOR THE CLASS OF2020.((Michael Martin//FGCUPresident))"I’m proud of them.

I’m proudthat they’ve shown theresilience that they have."CAPS HAVE BEEN MAILED TO ALL1934 GRADUATES.AND THE UNIVERSITY ISENCOURAGING THEM TO SEND BACKVIDEOS WEARING THE GEAR -- ANDANY SPECIAL MESSAGES THEY WANTTO SHARE.((from commencement video))"You should also know thateveryone in the FGCU familycongratulates you."THOSE CLIPS WILL BE EDITEDTOGETHER WITH THIS PRE-RECORDEDCOMMENCEMENT SPEECH FROM FGCUPRESIDENT MICHAEL MARTIN.THE FINAL PIECE WILL BE MADEAVAILABLE TO ALL GRADUATES.AND WHILE THIS YEAR’SCOMMENCEMENT MAY BE MORECIRCUMSTANCE THAN POMP--PRESIDENT MARTIN WANTS TO LEAVEHIS STUDENTS WITH A MESSAGE --((Michael Martin//FGCUPresident))"I got polio when I was five.""THINGS WILL GET BETTER."((Michael Martin//FGCUPresident))"I’m living proof that you livethrough it.

You survive and inmany respects you prosper.

Maybenot because of it, but despitit."IN FORT MYERS --ROCHELLE ALLEYNE-- FOX 4, IYC.FGCU PRESIDENT MICHAEL MARTINSA