Southwestern College is holding its largest commencement ceremony to date on May 27, with two separate commencement ceremonies to make room for guests as it celebrates more than 900 graduates this year at the college’s DeVore Stadium. After two years of drive-thru graduations due to the pandemic, this year’s commencements are in-person.
This year’s commencement ceremonies will be held at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and streamed live on the college’s YouTube channel.
Director of Student Development & Health Services Ronnie Hands said due to the pandemic, the past two years commencements took form in a parade to keep students, faculty and staff safe.
“Students really enjoyed the parade, but they really wanted to get back together and be able to have an in-person commencement. This year we have been able to go back to that, but with a twist.”
Official coordinator of the ceremonies, Student Services Specialist Jenny Davis said students will have to prove vaccination status or provide a negative result the day prior to the ceremonies.
Davis said when she sent out the information about the in-person graduation, the response from students was overwhelming. She said based on data, the college is not requiring proof of vaccination or negative tests for guests. Davis said with two ceremonies, they can give more social distancing in the layout on the field for the students. Davis said the student government sponsored special masks for graduates. She said college leadership is highly recommending that students wear masks, but they are not required.
“Our students are very excited,” she said.
Davis said the Southwestern tradition of having a faculty, staff, or administrator presenting diplomas is back as well.
“We reached out to the Academic Senate and asked them how they felt about being part of the ceremony again, and our faculty overwhelmingly said yes,” she said, adding that many students requested that their diplomas be given to them by their favorite professors, staff and administrators.
Davis said as she held Grad Fest at each college location for students to get caps and gowns, and regalia, she said the response was wonderful, each event was nonstop, graduation photos were taken, and all the students and family were so excited about being able to graduate in person.
Davis said students who graduated last year and did not want to participate in the parade, they were invited to attend this year’s commencements and the college accommodated them.
Hands said that with the college’s growth, commencements became so large, it was suggested prior to COVID, that the college hold two commencements.
“It is really appropriate, because what COVID has taught us is that we must be thoughtful in a way that where we handle our student, faculty and staff’s health. Having two ceremonies allows us to have more social distancing, handle much smaller crowds, and more efficient. We are very excited about having a commencement face-to-face, which we have not been able to do the last two years,” he said.
“The perseverance and hard work that we’ve witnessed from our students throughout the past two years is one we’re extremely proud of and happy to celebrate along with them,” said Superintendent/President Dr. Mark Sanchez in a press release. “We look forward to seeing our graduates continue pursuing their educational journeys and launch their professional careers.”
To attend the in-person ceremonies, contact Daniella Rodiles at daniella@gomixte.com or (619) 732-0789 ext. 326.
