237th Washington College Commencement Exercises (Virtual)
After two postponements and a tentative plan to pull off an in-person graduate amidst a global pandemic last May, Washington College’s 237th Commencement exercises were finally conducted via live stream on October 17th, 2020.
With opening remarks given by the newly appointed college president, Dr. Wayne B. Powell took time to address the unprecedented circumstances which forced graduation into its first online format. Dr. Powell told the class of 2020 they are entering a whole new world which has been molded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he asserted that the knowledge, resilience, and resolve gained through their Washington College experience would help them chart these uncertain times.
Following the President’s remarks, senior class speaker Ryan Zweir addressed his fellow graduates with a message stressing mindfulness in times of uncertainty and urged his class to continue to adapt and make the most of their opportunities at hand.
Speakers Suzanne Hughes 91’ and Stephen Goulding 72’ then awarded Judy Brucker 86’ and John Dimsdale 73’ with the alumnus award for excellence in public service.
Former Black Student Union President, Jocelyn Elmore 20’ and former SGA secretary of diversity and inclusion, Felicia Yawa Attor 20’ both spoke on the importance of their classes' decision to rename and dedicate the Harford Hall dormitories after Thomas E. Morris 62’, Washington College’s first black graduate. Dr. Mellasenah Morris accepted the dedication on behalf of her late husband and spoke of Mr. Morris’ commitment to education and community throughout his post-graduate life in Baltimore. Ms. Elmore spoke to how the dedication is a part of recognizing the adversity and struggle which black students have faced on Washington College’s campus. Following a 2019-2020 academic year which had students of color leading a conversation around the college’s own struggles with inclusion and diversity, Ms. Attor notes this dedication can be a twinkle of hope for past, future, and present students of color at the college, and urged her classmates to never forget our history and let that knowledge guide their future.
Before Dr. Harvey introduced the degree recipients for the class of 2020, Dr. Sylvia Acevedo, was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from the college for her work promoting STEM programs through her work as Education Secretary under Barack Obama and her position as CEO of the American Girl Scouts. Dr. Acevedo encouraged the class of 2020 to show persistence in the face of uncertainty, to let their failures or rejections be constructive, and to meet the obstacles with innovation.
As the pictures and achievements of Washington College’s 2020 graduates roll across the computer screen in a succession which was supposed to take place on a sweltering summer stage, there is indeed a sense of loss, change and uncertainty built around this years commencement but the message from the speakers all run in parallel: with great uncertainty comes unrecognized opportunities which can get lost in the turmoil of the present.
Congratulations Washington College’s Class of 2020.
Watch a recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffS_Hi9vkJA