The Mount moves forward with in-person graduation

The College of Mount Saint Vincent is ready to take a big step back to the "old normal" by celebrating its recent graduates — in person. And not just for its Class of 2021, but the coronavirus pandemic-stricken Class of 2020, too.

The North Riverdale school plans to host four smaller commencement ceremonies over the weekend of May 21 and May 22 for its most recent graduates, handing out degrees to students based on their field of study. 

That begins with undergraduate nursing students at 1 p.m., on May 21, and continues on with accelerated and graduated nursing students later that afternoon. On that Saturday, students studying a number of subjects like biology, chemistry and psychology will graduate at 9 a.m., with pretty much everyone else set up to walk across the stage at 1 p.m.

All of the ceremonies will be held on the school's Great Lawn, and under its waterfront tent.

As for the Class of 2020, they won't be a part of the May ceremonies, but school officials say they are planning for some sort of ceremony in June.

All the ceremonies will practice social distance, and each graduate will be allowed two guests. Each will be about an hour, including hooding, departmental medals, college awards, honors, and pinning for the nurses.

For those who can't attend, the ceremonies will be broadcast live online.

The Mount, like many other schools, canceled commencement ceremonies last year, but so far is the first in this part of the Bronx to announce some sort of in-person celebration.