Westminster College Confident That Fall 2020 In-Person Classes Will Take Place

Fulton, MO—April 23, 2020: President Fletcher Lamkin, Ph.D., announced this morning that Westminster will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely but that students can expect a return to “relative” normal this fall. Lamkin plans for campus to open to alumni as scheduled on Aug. 8 for delayed Commencement 2020, while freshman dormitories will officially open for New Student Days on Aug. 15.

“Although Westminster made a quick, seamless transition to sudden online learning this spring, I am confident that our students can expect to physically be back on our beautiful campus after the summer,” Lamkin stated. “Our COVID-19 Task Force is working diligently to make sure this happens while ensuring the health and safety of everyone at the College.”

In-person classes will officially begin on Aug. 20 following a spring and summer employing Westminster’s Digital Blue Distance Learning Plan. The new course format began on March 23.

Lamkin adds that the College continues to monitor local, federal and state recommendations concerning COVID-19 with plans to open campus to staff and faculty on May 4 in compliance with a statewide shelter-at-home mandate from Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. Meanwhile, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to stay up to date on campus news regarding COVID-19 by referring to a page dedicated to the disease on the College website.

“Rest assured that we do not take this disease lightly and are preparing for campus operations to be somewhat different than they were before COVID-19, but we anticipate — with confidence and excitement — a return to a ‘new normal,’” Lamkin reflects.

Founded in 1851 and home of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, Westminster College in Fulton, MO, is ranked prestigiously by U.S. News & World Report as a National Liberal Arts College. The institution is in the top 15 percent for graduate earnings and boasts a 98 percent placement rate. Westminster also is a Forbes Best Value College. Westminster focuses on educating and inspiring students to find the power in their purpose in order to become the world leaders of tomorrow.

To find out more about Westminster, visit our website here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Sarah Backer at 573 592-5438, 573-220-9038 or [email protected].

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Sarah Rummel Backer

Sarah Rummel Backer is the Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A proud Westminster graduate, Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications in the areas of higher education, medicine, agriculture, and the private business sector.