In a typical year, our colleges — like your high schools — are celebrating their graduates, and family and friends are gathering to honor their seniors and offer encouragement on next steps. But 2020 is not a typical year. COVID-19 has forced most of those celebratory plans online — limiting both public and private acknowledgement of their successful completion of a key milestone.

While COVID-19 has put a damper on activities, it does not diminish all that graduating seniors accomplished to get there. So in addition to virtual commencements and graduation parties, Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan offered this year's college seniors their congratulations and encouragement.

Message from Gov. Tim Walz

Message from Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan