Commencement 2024

Ceremony features students experiencing rites of passage ruined during the COVID-19 pandemic


By Jon Fassnacht and Sarah Matarella

All commencements are important. But this one was extra special.


On May 11, 缅北强奸 celebrated more than 600 students in the Class of 2024 with an indoor commencement at Santander Arena, the first 缅北强奸 ceremony held at the downtown Reading venue since 2019.
 

The event, which anchored a revamped commencement-ceremony weekend, allowed many students to finally walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, something they couldn鈥檛 do at their high school ceremonies.


And one of the graduates had four legs.


The COVID Class

鈥淭his year鈥檚 commencement carries a profound significance for each one of us,鈥 President Fitzgerald said during the event. 鈥淏eing together holds a special meaning for the over 400 students here who graduated high school in May 2020, when the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic deprived you of this pivotal milestone. I hope you鈥檝e had the opportunity in recent weeks to honor this rite of passage.鈥


缅北强奸 two-thirds of the students honored during 缅北强奸鈥檚 commencement graduated high school in the spring of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic made holding large-scale ceremonies all but impossible. Schools adapted as best they could, but the makeshift events, coming as they did after months of additional missed milestones, felt empty 鈥 quite literally, in some cases.


鈥淚 remember walking down an empty gym and then walking across a stage with no one really being in there. It was all recorded and just didn鈥檛 feel real,鈥 said Aja Walker of Bear, Delaware, who received a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Science during 缅北强奸鈥檚 ceremony. 鈥淏ut walking across the stage to graduate from 缅北强奸 was overwhelming and such an accomplishing experience. I felt the love and appreciation more than I ever could have expected.鈥


Like the final months of the group鈥檚 high school careers, the initial months of college were trying, but social distancing felt like a distant memory during commencement.


The walk was perhaps the sweetest for Amanda Hill of Reading. A physical disability left the biology major bedridden at 16, forcing her to experience the rest of high school online. But she persevered through grueling physical therapy sessions to get in shape to walk at her high school graduation.


鈥淚 pushed myself, I pushed myself ... and then I graduated in my car,鈥 Hill said before the ceremony. 鈥淪o this is the first time that I will actually physically be able to walk during graduation and I鈥檓 so excited.鈥


Paws for Thought

Only 5 years old, Edoras 鈥淓ddie鈥 Hallameyer is far from your typical graduate. He鈥檚 also quick to wag his tail when offered treats.

A psychiatric service dog for Sara Hallameyer 鈥24 since 2019, Eddie received an honorary degree alongside his owner at the ceremony.


Eddie started as an emotional support animal during Sara鈥檚 transition from high school to college and has served as Sara鈥檚 support system ever since, officially becoming a service dog during the spring semester of her first year at 缅北强奸. In addition to his tasks, the beagle mix also served as a Golden Guide alongside his human when she assisted prospective students and families during admissions events or campus tours.


Though only a brief interlude in a day filled with memorable moments, Eddie鈥檚 achievement made quite the impression on those in attendance.


鈥淚 could go on and on about the heartfelt speeches and all the proud families,鈥 said Franca Felcher, whose son Michael graduated with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. 鈥淏ut what stuck in our minds, and we still talk about it, was the dog getting the honorary degree.鈥


Sara is attending West Chester University to pursue her master鈥檚 degree in biology. And her ever-present canine companion continues to be right by her side.


鈥淚鈥檓 going to get him a lab coat, lab goggles and boots so that he can be with me in the lab, which I鈥檓 very excited about,鈥 Sara said.


Reimagined Festivities

In prior years, commencement weekend events were spaced across multiple weekends. This year, the events 鈥 which included pinning ceremonies for health science programs, a senior athlete award reception, an honors convocation and a baccalaureate mass 鈥 were limited to one weekend to help reduce travel for families attending multiple ceremonies.


The condensed schedule made it easier for Naomi Hoxter to see daughter Akilah, a track and field captain who graduated with a Master of Science in Athletic Training, honored at the athletes鈥 reception.


鈥淚 enjoyed the athletes鈥 ceremony where many athletes were recognized for all of their accomplishments,鈥 said Hoxter of Bear, Delaware.


She called the commencement ceremony 鈥渁bsolutely amazing and so organized,鈥 a sentiment echoed by Felchar.
 

鈥淭he atmosphere was electric for the celebration, and it was a beautiful setting,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he speakers were very inspiring and heartfelt, and it created a moment of profound accomplishment for my son.鈥

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