NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee State University's nearly 750 spring graduates are being honored this weekend with a virtual commencement.

The ceremony Saturday will be live streamed on the university homepage, YouTube and Facebook sites.

"While we recognize the importance of a traditional commencement for our students and their families, we must balance it with the associated risks at this time of COVID-19," university President Glenda Glover said in a news release.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the university sent students home in March to finish the semester, and employees began working remotely.

Tennessee State is scheduled to reopen Aug. 17. When students and employees left in March, the university underwent a deep cleaning and sanitizing of the campus. Officials say the school's reopening plan will provide additional COVID-19 safety protocols.