CLINTON — Mississippi College leaders have announced plans for an Aug. 1 graduation are set for the Clinton campus. The ceremony allows family, friends, professors and others to honor the university’s Class of 2020.

The worldwide COVID-19 outbreak caused college officials to postpone the traditional Spring graduation.

“I believe this commencement will be even more memorable given the forced separation our senior class experienced and the resilience they have shown,” Mississippi College President Dr. Blake Thompson said. “I know I speak for the entire MC family in saying we can’t wait to welcome our graduating seniors home and celebrate their accomplishments.”

A special July 31 reception on the Clinton campus is also being planned to celebrate MC’s new graduates, Thompson said.

Reached Friday, Student Government Association President Aaron Feazelle is thrilled to take part in an August commencement.

“I’m so excited to be around all my friends one last time before we all leave for whatever’s next,” he said. Feazelle is a senior from Diamondhead.

A new graduation date was also announced for Mississippi College’s Law School’s class of 2020. Law graduates will be recognized Friday, Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church Jackson.

In an email to the “Mississippi College family,” Dr. Thompson announced other major steps showing Mississippi College is returning to normal and will welcome students returning to classes on campus for the fall semester, which will begin in late August.