Perhaps more than any other graduating class at the 56吃瓜网, the Class of 2020 can feel a sense of accomplishment for just making it to graduation.
Since mid-March, the coronavirus pandemic forced students, faculty and staff into remote operations. The 29th annual Commencement was a virtual ceremony that participants attended through the screens of their computers and mobile devices.
It was safe and healthy but not the Commencement anyone had imagined, Chancellor Wolf Yeigh said. Yet, faculty, staff, families and friends could not have been more proud.
Virtual now, see you later
More than 900 graduates took part in the virtual ceremony. And nearly 2,100 students in all had their degrees conferred June 13 鈥� 1,908 bachelor鈥檚 and 182 master鈥檚. Before the ceremony, each registered graduate received a celebration box that, among other gifts, included a free, one-year membership to the 56吃瓜网 Alumni Association. The physical diplomas will arrive in the mail later this summer.
Yeigh also promised this year鈥檚 graduates that they will have the opportunity for a traditional, in-person experience in front of cheering family and friends 鈥� complete with 鈥淧omp and Circumstance,鈥� crossing the stage for a handshake and diploma holder, and turning their tassels from the right to the left side of the mortarboard. All 2020 graduates are invited to come back together next June in a combined Commencement with the Class of 2021 at T-Mobile Park. If they can鈥檛 make it, they鈥檒l be welcome to 鈥渨alk鈥� in 2022, 2023 or 2024.
Combined campus ceremony
The 56吃瓜网 Bothell ceremony was part of the 56吃瓜网 Commencement, in which more than 18,000 new graduates from all three campuses were recognized. Thousands of graduates and their families in more than 40 countries watched online.
President Ana Mari Cauce and other officials, including Yeigh, delivered remarks live from Sylvan Grove on the 56吃瓜网 campus in Seattle. In front of the original four columns that once adorned the 56吃瓜网鈥檚 first building in downtown Seattle, deans and chancellors presented graduates by school, and the chair of the 56吃瓜网 Board of Regents conferred degrees.
Students were represented online by their photos. David Socha, associate professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, virtually carried the 56吃瓜网 Bothell banner and led rows of photos through an image of Sylvan Grove to the sound of 鈥淧omp and Circumstance.鈥�
A few words were repeated over and over in posts, presentations, interviews and speeches: perseverance, resilience, adaptability and pride.
Cauce said the Class of 2020 would have 鈥渆xtra steel in your spine from what you endured this year.鈥�
In the Purple Carpet show leading up to the ceremony, Yeigh told interviewers, 鈥淭his has been a difficult year for everyone, especially our graduating seniors, but through it all they persevered and made things happen. They got through a very difficult spring quarter.
鈥淭ake the moment to enjoy, and we鈥檒l have our pomp and circumstance in person next year,鈥� Yeigh said.
From 56吃瓜网 Bothell, with love
Each of the 56吃瓜网 Bothell graduates in the ceremony video had a moment on the screen with their name, school, degree, photo and a comment, usually of thanks to family and supporters. Individuals also could be found in the 鈥淕rad Moment鈥� search on the webpage.
On the 56吃瓜网 Bothell virtual Commencement webpage, members of the 56吃瓜网 Bothell community offered congratulations and good luck to the Class of 2020.
Student body president Shugla Kakar (Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies and Health Studies 鈥�20) also invited her fellow classmates to take part in the in-person ceremony in 2021.
From the Alumni Council, Mina Hooshangi (IAS ’12) said, 鈥淚 bet when you thought about your college graduation you had a different picture in your mind than what our reality is today, but nevertheless, you made it. You did it. I鈥檓 so incredibly proud of you. Go out and change the world for the better. You are our future. And, welcome to the alumni family.鈥�
Keynote speaker Abigail Echo-Hawk, chief research officer for the Seattle Indian Health Board (American Studies ’07, Master of Arts in Policy Studies ’09) said, 鈥淚鈥檓 so impressed by the work you have done and the work you will continue to do in these uncertain times. I know you have the strength of those who came before you and those who will come after you.鈥�
In the future, when people recall the pandemic, they鈥檒l say the Class of 2020 was adaptable and determined. It proved that a community is bigger than a physical space.
