[Processional by the Faculty of the Cornish Music Department]

Welcome Remarks: Dr. Raymond Tymas-Jones, Ph.D., President

Student Performer: Alexander Gregory Michels (MUSIC)*

Commencement Address: Skye Borgman (THEATER ’94)

Student Performer: Aja Breana Green (DANCE)*

Student Speaker: Vanessa Keran Hough (ART)*

Student Performer: Isabel Lula Adesuwa Orobaton (THEATER)*

Student Speaker: Casey Trutner Hartman (THEATER)*

Conferral of Degrees: Raymond Tymas-Jones and Respective Department Chairs

Closing Remarks: William Seigh, Provost*

*Featuring contributions by Jordan Michelle Couper (PERFORMANCE PRODUCTION)

Skye Borgman is an award-winning director and cinematographer who makes narrative and documentary films all over the world.

After graduating from Cornish College of the Arts in 1994, she packed a backpack and hit the road. She spent the next 5 years traveling to over 60 countries and living on three continents. Her global experiences guide her vision, thought, and approach to filmmaking, giving her the unique ability to connect with all types of personalities. She has filmed rock-stars, prime ministers, drug addicts, environmentalists, Academy award winners, Buddhist nuns, and anarchist chocolate makers.

With a keen sense of adventure, Skye brings excitement to everything she films. Her fusion of lighting, collaboration, and absolute fearlessness gives her filmmaking an evocative, honest and approachable style.

Skye’s stunning film, ABDUCTED IN PLAIN SIGHT has captivated the world, with people boasting, “It’s the craziest documentary I’ve ever seen.”  Skye has directed episodes for the Netflix series UNSOLVED MYSTERIES and TRIALS BY MEDIA and is currently directing a special for Oxygen. Additionally, she photographs for Investigation Discovery, bringing the shows THE NIGHT THAT DIDN’T END and MURDER IN THE HEARTLAND to life.

Skye is the co-owner of Top Knot Films, an award-winning production company, creating extraordinary film, television and documentary content.  Top Knot Films is committed to delivering captivating projects with such emotional impact that they challenge, amaze, and inspire us to celebrate our everyday lives.

Cornish is committed to making our Virtual Commencement event on May 16 as accessible as possible. We are including captions for the entire event and transcriptions of all event speeches will be made available on our website. Additionally, the video recording that we will make available for viewing and download after the event, will include audio descriptions. If you have concerns regarding accessibility, please submit the form below. We cannot address all requests, but we will do everything we can to meet your needs.

Virtual Commencement Accessibility Form

Cornish College’s IT team put together this tech tip sheet for Virtual Commencement participants. Learn how to improve your internet speed and optimize your viewing experience for the event.

You are eligible to participate in the College’s commencement ceremony if you have six or fewer credits outstanding after Spring semester 2020 is complete. If you have more than six credits unfulfilled, you are eligible to participate in the following year’s ceremony. If you are a prospective graduate and have questions about your eligibility to participate in commencement or your graduation status, please contact the Registration & Records Office at advising@cornish.edu.

Final degree awards will be posted to your record within 30 days of the last day of the semester. Diplomas will be available following the final graduation audit; for most graduates that will be by June 15. You must provide the Registration & Records Office with the address where you would like your diploma sent; you can submit this information via your graduation application on Compass.

The Alumni Relations Office can be reached at 206.726.5052. More information about the benefits, resources, and opportunities available to Cornish alumni can be found here.

Dear Class of 2020,

When we began the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year, I am certain that no one imagined how our lives would be upended by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  The rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout the entire 50 states of our country has resulted in a myriad of efforts to quell the spread and flatten the anticipated curve of this highly contagious disease.  Governor Inslee and other officials have acted responsibly to do what is necessary to keep citizens as safe as possible. As we have all learned, an essential component to slowing the spread is to maintain social distancing.

The Cornish administration, with the support of the Board of Trustees, has taken action to minimize the threat to the health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty. Now, I must consider a decision that absolutely breaks my heart: The circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and the restrictions established by the proclamation of the Governor of the State of Washington on 13 March 2020 necessitate the cancellation of the 2020 Commencement exercises for Cornish College of the Arts.

I cannot imagine how disappointed each graduate and their family and friends will be to learn this news, but the health and safety of our entire community remain our utmost priority.  Cornish is one of many institutions across the country to determine that, for the present, this decision is the most prudent and necessary. Over the coming days and weeks, I will share with you thoughts and ideas of how Cornish will celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our graduating seniors when it is safe to do so.

I want you to know that the faculty, staff, and administration are working tirelessly to continue to deliver on our commitment to your future.  The work of the artist is perhaps more critical to the survival of our community than ever, and your preparation to be among those whose contributions to humanity gives hope and peace.  I ask you and your family to do everything possible to remain well and safe.

Sincerely,

Raymond Tymas-Jones, Ph.D.

President, Cornish College of the Arts