Mary WashingtonUniversity Graduates Receive Their Diplomas in the United States
Mary WashingtonUniversity, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, held its graduationceremony on May 10, 2021. The ceremony was a celebration ofachievements for the graduates who received their degrees amidst theongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The graduates, faculty members, and guestswere required to follow safety protocols, such as wearing masks andmaintaining social distance, to ensure the safety and health ofeveryone in attendance.
The ceremony washeld at the outdoor William M. Anderson Center at Brompton, theuniversity’s historic property. The event began with theprocessional of graduates, followed by the national anthem andinvocation. Gina M. Hill, the university’s Interim President,delivered a speech highlighting the resilience and determination ofthe graduates who had to overcome challenges during their academicjourney.
In her speech, Hillemphasized that the Mary Washington experience prepares graduates forthe challenges of life beyond the classroom. “You leave MaryWashington not just with a degree but with an education — a set ofvalues and leadership skills that will serve you in the years ahead,”she said.
Hill’s speech wasfollowed by the presentation of the Outstanding Graduate TeachingAwards. During the ceremony, the university recognized severalgraduates with honors, including Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude,and Cum Laude. The valedictorian of the class of 2021, who earned adegree in Biology, delivered a speech encouraging her fellowgraduates to continue to work hard and pursue their dreams.
After the speeches,the graduates received their diplomas, marking the culmination oftheir years of hard work and dedication. As each graduate’s namewas called, they walked across the stage, where they were presentedwith their diploma by the Interim President and other universityofficials.
The ceremony endedwith a procession of the graduates out of the arena, where they weregreeted by their families and friends. The graduates celebrated theiraccomplishments and posed for pictures in their caps and gowns,marking the end of one chapter in their lives and the beginning ofanother.
The graduationceremony at Mary Washington University was more than just acelebration of academic achievement; it was also a testament to theresilience and determination of the graduates who persevered andovercame obstacles during their academic journey. The ceremony heldparticular significance during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as itserved as a powerful reminder that despite the challenges, thegraduates have the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to tackleany obstacle that comes their way.
In the end, the 2021graduates of Mary Washington University can look back at their timeon campus with pride, knowing that they have received an educationthat will serve them for the rest of their lives. Their diplomas marknot only their success in earning a degree but also the beginning ofa new chapter characterized by continued growth, learning, andperseverance.
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