2021 Commencement

It may have looked different from other years’ celebrations, what with limited guests, social distancing all around, and masks required, but we held the annual rite of passage for graduates, with the traditional processional through campus and the awarding of individual diplomas.

Valedictorian Jack DeSpain encouraged graduates to learn from failure and to take risks. “Right now, we have very few necessities, which is why it’s the perfect time to take risks. I think we should reflect on what motivates us and what makes us happy, and then get after it. Pursue whatever that may be with hard work and get out of your comfort zone by taking risks.”

Graduates appreciated the opportunity to take part in an in-person ceremony, after more than a year spent in a remote college experience. “Commencement allowed us to not only celebrate the big picture of what it took for us to receive our degrees,” said Alyssa Child, BS, Marketing & Business Administration, “but also the victories we had during 2020 to make it to that point.” Gregory Mortensen, MA, Management Information Systems, also expressed his gratitude. “As a first-generation college and graduate student, it meant the world to me for my children to see our procession. Hopefully, it inspired them to dare to do great things!”