Commencement for the class of 2021 will be held in-person May 1 and 2, but families and guests must attend the event virtually in light of public health conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rhode Island School of Design canceled in-person commencement for the class of 2021, citing uncertainty around the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an email from President Rosanne Somerson to the student body Monday morning.

On Feb. 12, 2020, 40 members of the class of 2021 were elected to the University’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter, as stated in a letter from the Secretary of the Rhode Island Alpha of Phi Beta Kappa and Professor Emeritus of French Studies Henry Majewski.

While setting up for the class of 2021’s Winter Formal in Sayles Hall last month, Lauren Reischer ’21 noticed “something swooping down from the ceiling.”

The University received a total of 32,699 applications for the class of 2021, according to Dean of Admission Logan Powell.

“The Tsar of Love and Techno” by Anthony Marra will be the summer reading for the incoming class of 2021 as part of the University’s First Readings program.