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While
the
fall
edition
of
Baldwin
Wallace
University's
170th
Commencement
ceremonies
is
delayed
until
the
BW
community
can
safely
gather
at
large,
in-person
events
again,
a
virtual
Conferring
of
Degrees
ceremony
honored
the
Class
of
2020
on
Saturday,
December
12,
with
the
name
of
every
grad
being
read
aloud.
In two ceremonies, BW conferred master's and bachelor's degrees to 302 students who are completing degree requirements in the fall semester during the challenge of a global pandemic. Like May graduates, the December Class of 2020 was encouraged to participate from home.
Noting that Ohio public health guidelines call for graduates to "celebrate safe and celebrate small," BW President Bob Helmer said, "We wish we were together with you but I am thankful for the technology that allows us live stream this event. Because, today is the day that you, our graduates, receive your degrees. This is the date on your diploma."
The
live
celebration
also
included
remarks
from
Provost
Steve
Stahl
and
inspirational
words
from
Dr.
Jaimy
Dyer,
president
of
BW's
faculty
senate
and
professor
of
exercise
science.
Dyer, a runner, compared the completion of a degree to crossing the finish line in a race. "I know the amount of work, sacrifice and dedication that leads to that moment."
"And so, I'm reminded of everything that you have gone through to get here today: the barriers that you've overcome; the setbacks you have faced; the amazing accomplishments you've achieved."
In closing comments, President Helmer encouraged every grad "to go out and do amazing things."
"BW is 175 years old," he added. "For 175 years, we have watched our alumni be remarkable. We've had alumni be astronauts and Olympic gold medalists. We've had CEOs and entrepreneurs, doctors and nurses, accountants and school teachers, and just about every other profession that our world needs... You follow in that long line."
In
the
week
leading
up
to
the
ceremony,
graduating
students
received
a
congratulatory
package
in
the
mail
containing
a
diploma
case
and
formal
graduation
programs
listing
each
graduate
and
noting
senior
class
officers,
Latin
Honors,
membership
in
the
Dayton
C.
Miller
Honor
Society
and
completion
of
the
Honors
Program.
The mailed packet also included BW gift items designed to welcome each grad into the proud BW alumni family. May 2020 grads will receive a similar celebration package in the mail as well.
Graduating students, family and friends can watch the Boxcast replays of the events and access an online yearbook that showcases seniors with photos, degree earned, honors and plans for the future at: bw.edu/commencement/class-of-2020/.
There are links for two ceremonies: one for graduate students receiving a master's degree or post-baccalaureate nursing degree, and an undergraduate ceremony for those earning bachelor's degrees.
