Thirty-eight graduates from the Arkansas Tech University College of Education Class of 2020 participated in a socially-distanced starfish pinning ceremony at the conclusion of the fall 2020 semester.
The pins are presented annually to graduates of the ATU College of Education and are based upon a story adapted from a 1969 essay by Loren Eiseley.
The story ends with an old man telling a young man that while he cannot save every starfish that washes ashore, he can make a difference for each one that he returns to the ocean.
âThis ceremony typically takes place on reading day,â said Dr. Linda Bean, dean of the ATU College of Education. âThe students and their families are invited and we have refreshments. Each of their names are called out and their advisors and faculty are able to congratulate them and share in their excitement of completion of their degree. The last time this was done was December 2019.â