Spring commencement, a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic, last took place in person in 2019.
“I’m so excited,” said Allison Beyta, a senior entrepreneurship and marketing major. “We get a closure ceremony.”
Members of the Class of 2021 started their college careers with Hurricane Irma, which hit South Florida in fall of 2017, and will now finish college during a pandemic.
“They’ve been a resilient and adaptable class and we’re really proud of them,” said Patricia Whitely, senior vice president for student affairs. “We’re really glad to be able to provide this experience for them at Hard Rock Stadium and in person.”
Wanting to be cautious, transfer student Whitney Kripsak delayed her arrival on campus until mid-September. Nevertheless, she tested positive for the virus in early November, which meant having to quarantine in Mahoney Residential College.
“Testing positive was a bit of a shock,” said Kripsak, who previously attended Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. “Thankfully, I had little to no symptoms.”
Audriana Edwards, of Med Pro Staffing, prepares to administer a COVID-19 test in Pavia Garage on Sept. 22, 2020. Photo credit: Ally Gaddy
Kripsak said she followed the rules and never left her room. But not all quarantined students cooperated, she said.