Whoever thought the good ol’ days would be 2019? But that was the last time Northern Michigan University, along with most other higher learning institutions, had an in-person commencement exercise.

With COVID-19 continuing to be a threat in these pandemic days, NMU will hold a virtual commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Some 929 students registered to graduate and 962 degrees will be awarded if all requirements are met (33 students will earn multiple degrees), according to a release from the university.

The ceremony can be viewed via a link at nmu.edu/commencement.

The release from the university breaks it down thusly: 64 certificates; 109 associate degrees; 684 bachelor’s degrees; and 105 master’s degrees.

The NMU Registrar’s Office notes:

≤ Of 109 associate degrees, the associate of applied science has the greatest number of recipients at 38.

≤ Of 684 bachelor’s degrees, 540 are bachelor of science.

≤ Of 105 master degrees, 26 are master of social work, edging master of science which has 25 recipients.

The commencement exercises this year might not have the same pomp and circumstance as in past years, but we think this year’s graduates, like last year’s, will have worked harder than many of their predecessors having battled COVID and the many adjustments forced upon them during the pandemic.

We salute all those who earned degrees during these unprecedented days. We hope Saturday is the start of better days for them — and for us all.