Mississippi College will host graduation ceremonies on Aug. 1 for those who would have marched in a traditional ceremony for spring graduation May 8.

MC President Blake Thompson said via email to students and staff, “I believe this commencement will be even more memorable given the forced separation our senior class experienced and the resilience they have shown … We can’t wait to welcome our graduating seniors home and celebrate their accomplishments.

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

MC coped with crises before — from the Civil War to the Spanish Influenza of 1918-1920, and from the Great Depression to two World Wars. More recent challenges like Hurricane Katrina in 2005 impacted many MC families.

Accountancy professor Billy Morehead was happy to hear about the rescheduled graduation.

“The abrupt end of classes dispersed our students all over the country and world” and forced them to finish their learning online. He hopes many of these students from across the US and other countries will be able to attend the August celebration.