May 18, 2020

Class of 2020,

I am so deeply proud of you.

You have overcome, persevered, and risen above the challenges of this semester in so many inspiring and incredibly human ways; it is clear that you represent the best of what MICA can and strives to be.

You have collaborated, though physically apart. You have created in ways none of us would have envisioned just months ago. You have lifted up, both artistically and emotionally, your peers, the community, and MICA as a whole — and we are all the better for it.

Today is the day that would have, in any other circumstance, been your Commencement day. And though the strangeness of this time has prevented it from happening now, we cannot allow this date to go uncelebrated! 

So, to start, I encourage you to take a moment to view a special message Sammy and many of your faculty have just for you.

In addition, I am pleased to share the following regarding MICA’s formal graduation events for your Class:

• Week of June 8th: Career Development, with the help of Strategic Planning Partners, will host a series of online, targeted, and tailored professional development workshops. This will include a focus on topics such as how to price and talk about your work, as well as how to market and sell in this environment.
• Thursday, June 25th: A special, Class of 2020 online exhibition will soft-launch at 6:00 pm (ET). Everyone is invited to explore the work of the Class, participate in virtual experiences and interact with one another - and with special invited guests - as a community. 
• Friday, June 26th: The Class of 2020 virtual Commencement will begin at 9:00 am (ET). 

Further details on each of these events will be announced in the coming weeks. 

As a final marking of this day, all graduating students should check their email beginning at 4:00 pm (ET) today, as a digital version of your diploma is being delivered. While we will formally confer your degrees in June, we do not want you to wait to receive the diploma you have so diligently earned! Paper diplomas, as well as your diploma cover, will be mailed to you in the next few weeks.

While we are all saddened that we cannot gather today to celebrate in person, please know that the entire MICA community supports and celebrates you. We believe wholeheartedly in your resilience, creativity, and passion. You are going to change the world you are entering, and I for one, can’t wait to see it happen.

I look forward to celebrating your amazing accomplishments in June.

Congratulations,

Mike Patterson