CNU produced 1,730 graduates including 1,276 bachelor’s degrees this academic year.CNU had to cancel the graduation ceremony, which was originally scheduled for August 26, and informed 1,730 graduates, including 1,276 bachelor’s recipients, 335 master’s recipients, and 119 doctorate recipients, to receive their degrees through their respective departments.President Jeong released a farewell letter online, praising the future of graduates who will lead the world to come with new perspectives and exhorting them to live a life with pride as graduates of CNU and courage in these uncertain times..President Jeong said, “I hope our graduates live lives filled with introspection and long-term perspectives as they go through the eras of the ‘new normal’ and the Great Transition after the experience of COVID-19. The wisdom of looking at life with a comprehensive view will bring about a truly rewarding life.”President Jeong also said, “Challenge yourselves with indomitable determination and upright spirit” and insisted that “if you pursue righteousness, creativity, sensibility, and cooperation, shedding light on those around you, courage will break through the loneliness which is the destiny of those who challenge their surroundings.”He lastly emphasized to the graduates, “Bear the pride of CNU and remember us who brought you up under the principle of ‘Truth, Creation, and Service.’ You are our blossoming hope and pride and we will stand firmly by your side while you go through vicissitudes in life.”CNU posted congratulatory messages on the website for the graduates who missed the graduation ceremony, which were written by renowned figures from various fields including Mayor Lee Yong-seop of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Governor Kim Young-rok of South Jeolla Province, and Park Seung-hyun, the chairperson of the CNU Alumni Association.

CNU conferred honorary graduation certificates to those who graduated from predecessor schools of CNU and asked them to have pride in their positions as CNU alumni.CNU awarded honorary graduation certificates to 501 graduates from predecessor schools and two people of merit in independence at CNU’s Yeosu Campus on August 24. The graduation certificates were received by 5 representatives to prevent the infection of COVID-19 and the other recipients received their certificates by mail. On the ceremony day, the grandson and son of Park No-woon and Hwang Byeong-ik, respectively, who are both men of merit for independence and graduates of Yeosu Fisheries High School attended the ceremony as representatives. The other three representatives, Im Sang-taek who graduated from Yeosu Fisheries High School and, Park Eui-cheol and Jeong Jun-ho, who graduated from Yeosu Professional Fisheries High School, attended the ceremony by themselves to receive the honorary graduation certificates.CNU has decided to award honorary graduation certificates to those who graduated from the 30 predecessor schools, including Gwangju Agricultural School (1907) and Yeosu Public Simplified Fisheries School (1917). Those who are eligible can apply through CNU Alumni Associations.

CNU decided to offer special scholarships for students who have been suffered from financial burdens due to COVID-19.According to CNU, it has prepared the COVID-19 Special Scholarship to relieve the economic burden on students, which has been exacerbated due to the prolonged restrictions caused by COVID-19. In order to support students to better concentrate on their studies, CNU will give those who have enrolled in both the spring and fall semesters in 2020 a 10% refund on the actual tuition paid for the spring semester.Students who are scheduled to register for the fall semester this year will receive a tuition reduction or exemption notice, and those who graduated in August and students who are taking a leave of absence in the fall semester will receive scholarships through account transfers. The maximum amount of support per capita was set at 200,000 won so that more students could enjoy the benefits evenly. Previously, CNU promised to find a way to provide support for students at a public forum held on July 2nd. CNU has raised 1.84 billion KRW in total by budget and cost adjustments of individual colleges, affiliated facilities, and headquarters.CNU also raised 140 million KRW through August 15th via the Love Student Campaign for Livelihood Support, in which professors and staff voluntarily participated. CNU is preparing for a detailed plan to distribute the funds to students in difficult economic circumstances.President Jeong said, “With sincerity and willingness, CNU members have enabled measures to alleviate the difficulties of students and parent. As a result, we have prepared both the COVID-19 Special Scholarship and the Love Student Campaign for Livelihood Support. We believe that if we cooperate with each other especially in this hard time, we will surely overcome the current crisis.”