UVM graduation to carry on without commencement speaker

By Cam Smith
Published: May. 17, 2024 at 3:13 PM EDT|Updated: 5 hours ago

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - The University of Vermont is preparing for more than 3,000 to walk across the stage this weekend to receive their diplomas.

Graduating seniors could be seen across campus Friday wearing their caps and gowns for photos, and crews set up chairs and tents on the green. According to UVM, more than 2,600 bachelor’s degrees and nearly 500 master’s degrees will be handed out this weekend. Students we spoke to say the graduation comes after a tumultuous four years. Despite starting their college experience online during the pandemic, they say they’re grateful for their time here in the Green Mountains.

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One major and unprecedented change -- there will be no commencement speaker. Amid recent pro-Palestinian protests on campus, UVM announced that U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield would not be speaking. The school says they look forward to celebrating the newest alumni with their friends and family.

Several roads near campus will be closed for most of the weekend. South Prospect Street from College Street to the University Health Center entrance will close Friday at 7 p.m. until around 9 p.m. Sunday night. On Sunday, South Prospect, College, and even parts of Main Street will close starting at 5 a.m.