By STEPHA POULIN
BG Independent Correspondent
Bowling Green State University invited seniors to a virtual celebration of their college career on Saturday, promising an in-person commencement ceremony at a date that’s yet to be announced.
President Rodney Rogers opened the livestream ceremony standing on the basketball court in the Stroh Center devoid of the 2,523 seats needed for the class of 2020. Graduates will receive their diplomas through the mail in June.
Despite the restrictions and uncertainty associated with COVID-19, past graduates encouraged seniors as they enter their next stage of life. BGSU alumni — ranging from Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen to E! “True Story Hollywood” creator Jeff Store — gave parting advice to seniors who Friday had completed their final semester under extraordinary circumstances.
As a parent of two graduating students, Rogers understands the disappointment some parents are feeling as they wait for a formal commencement, he said.
Saturday afternoon remained a time to recognize seniors’ success although the ceremony didn’t take place when scheduled. Parents and grandparents wrote messages to graduates in the livestream chat. Similarly to regular commencement, students shouted out their peers.
“I was actually happily surprised by the virtual celebration,” said Abbey Warschauer, a creative writing major who graduated summa cum laude this spring. After graduation Warschauer plans to work as a marketing assistant and freelance proofreader at Barbour publishing.
Warschauer said the celebration helped make her at-home graduation more personal as she watched with close family.
“I think most of all the roll through of the past four years was a great look back moment for me,” Warschauer said. “It highlighted a lot of things I loved about BGSU and these little memories that I forgot about and was just really sweet to watch.”
The virtual celebration featured a video highlighting the last four years at BGSU, including multiple sports championships, new buildings, award-winning programs, charitable causes and more.
After comments from Board of Trustees Chair Daniel Keller, a group of student vocalists and instrumentalists shared their parting advice through song. They belted a refrain that might resonate with seniors, “You are not alone.”
The performers recorded their part of the arrangement from home, each wearing BGSU gear as they appeared in rectangular boxes on the screen — a familiar sight to students and professors who have seen each other through Webex classes for the past eight weeks.
Parents and seniors can view video messages from speakers at BGSU.edu/2020. As graduates wait to walk across the stage, they can hear their name being read on the site. Students and parents can also share memories and graduation pictures by using #BGSU2020Seniors on Twitter, and those without social media can submit content via the site.
As he stood behind a lectern with a BGSU mask neatly placed on its ledge, Rogers reminded graduates “to create public good by making a difference” in their career, family, alma mater and beyond.
“Tackle messy challenges. Communicate, work with peers. Empower others to unleash their creativity. Take calculated risks. Have fun. Absolutely have fun — but never, ever stop learning,” Rogers said. “Because if you do those things, you will absolutely do well, but you will also do good.”
The next chapter of life may come with uncertainty “but is yours to write.”
