Graduation for the classes of 2020 and 2021 will take place in-person this May.
OCU officials are planning on having two graduations. On May 7, one ceremony will honor the class of 2020, while another ceremony on May 8 will be dedicated to the class of 2021.
Allison Hudson, assistant director of student engagement, said changes are being made to accommodate for this year’s unique circumstances and COVID-19 safety needs, but she said she is excited to give the graduates a day to celebrate their achievements.
“We know it will be a little different from what they may have imagined because it’s not necessarily going to look like that traditional graduation,” Hudson said. “But it will still have a lot of those more cherished elements.”
Hudson said the decision to include a day for the class of 2020 stemmed from wanting to give them the opportunity to celebrate in person as well. A virtual graduation event was hosted last year for the class of 2020, but it was hacked and had hate speech projected on the feed.
“I think after experiencing last year’s ceremony and seeing all the work and effort put in, and then having the unfortunate happen, it left a lot of hurt,” Hudson said. “So, when the conversation started happening about graduation, it became really clear that we needed to offer this to them too.”
Hudson said one of the graduation committees is focused specifically on solidifying the logistics of health and safety standards, amidst changing CDC guidelines relating to COVID-19. She said there are parts within the ceremony which are set to take place in several areas to allow for continuous movement in order not to confine a large crowd.
“The way it was described to me was like a Disney ride,” Hudson said. “It’s supposed to keep moving, all through different spaces with lots of little elements that come together.”
Hudson said she is looking forward to the ceremony because it marks a significant shift in the lives of students and propels them in a new direction.
“Some of my favorite moments in watching students are move-in day and graduation, and I think that plays into how momentous transitions influence our lives,” Hudson said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to feel the energy of graduation and play a part in commemorating this significant accomplishment.”
Shakurah Maynard, graphic design 2020 alumna, said her feelings over the decision to run an in-person graduation ceremony are mixed. She said while she would love to have the experience of walking across the stage, the circumstances are complicated.
“It’s a little bittersweet because we’re still in a situation where most of my family can’t come to see me even if I do choose to attend,” Maynard said. “We are only allowed two tickets and aren’t really even sure what COVID precautions they’re going to be taking.”
When recalling last year’s events, Maynard said the end of her final year in college felt more like a cutoff than a triumphant finish.
“I just now am getting excited about taking graduation photos a year after I’ve graduated. In a way, I didn’t do them because I didn’t even feel like I had graduated,” she said. “I just remember checking the mail one day, and I had been sent my diploma.”
In addressing the racism and that was displayed in last year’s graduation hacking, Maynard said this was not the first time she felt OCU has underplayed an issue of this kind.
“OCU rarely handles anything related to race well. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I can’t fully trust the university to protect me as a Black student,” Maynard said.
She said she is hopeful to be walking in this year’s graduation, despite last year’s incident, but will make her final decision once she has more information.
“I’m hoping that the university rolls out their exact protocol so that I can see whether it’s actually an option for me. I would be giving my few tickets to my grandparents, and it really wouldn’t be safe if they don’t have a plan,” Maynard said. “The only information I have is that it is happening, I had to RSVP and that I was allowed two tickets.”
To stay informed on updated graduation details, changes and protocols, students are encouraged to frequently check the Commencement page on the OCU website.
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