They won’t be celebrating in the La Crosse Center as originally planned. But the more than 1,700 UW-La Crosse students planning to attend the Saturday, May 16, commencement will still get recognized that morning — and they and their families can participate from the comfort of their own couch.

UWL’s first virtual “Couch Commencement” will go online at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at www.uwlax.edu/celebrate/commencement. The site will contain a short message from Chancellor Joe Gow and others, along with photos and written messages of encouragement from the graduates.

An in-person ceremony on campus has been rescheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, health and safety restrictions permitting.

On April 28, students planning to participate in spring ceremonies were asked to “sign the yearbook” for the online commencement. They were encouraged to upload an image — wearing UWL gear or a graduation cap was encouraged — and provide words of encouragement to family, professors or friends. The university also offered UWL frames, filters and stickers for Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat for graduates to share their graduation pride.

Graduates who have not yet provided their online commencement information have until Tuesday, May 12, to submit details at https://share.uwlax.edu/celebration.

While the tribute is not ideal, it’s a good way for graduates to start their celebration, says Provost Betsy Morgan. “We are so proud of you and all you’ve done to get to this major milestone,” says Morgan. “We look forward to sharing this online celebration with you.”