Paul Kirby is reporting for the Daily Freeman Bard College has postponed its graduation ceremonies from May 23 to Sat., Aug. 22, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. College President Leon Botstein said in a post to Bard's website there will be other changes to the commencement ceremony, as well. “Details on the exact schedule and arrangements, including the protocols and requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic mandated by local and state authorities, will be sent out before July 1, 2020,” Botstein said. “We will have to make adjustments to comply with essential restrictions in force at the time of the events.” Botstein said on the days preceding the commencement ceremony there will be a senior dinner, a Baccalaureate service, and the annual Alumni/ae Awards ceremony and student concert. Botstein said the school's annual memorial service will take place Sun., Aug. 23. All of these events are part of Bard's traditional annual commencement exercises. For those members of the Class of 2020 who are unable to attend that weekend in person, Botstein said, "We will do our best to arrange creative surrogates for streaming, including the possibility of a virtual receipt of a diploma.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.