Kyra Lieberman – In Motion Staff Writer
The world has largely been put on hold to help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and graduation is no exception.
Across the country and world, college and high school graduations have been postponed or cancelled altogether. Daytona State College joined these ranks officially on April 3, with a message from Dr. Amy Locklear, provost, who said the May 11 graduation has been postponed, but all 2020 graduates are invited to walk in the 2021 graduation ceremony, date to be announced.
DSC has put together an online graduation to take place on May 11 at 6 p.m. to honor this year’s graduates. It will take place on DSC’s official YouTube channel and will stream live.
On April 20, DSC President Tom LoBasso stated in an email, “While this ceremony will be like none other in the history of the College, we still want to maintain the individual recognition that comes with our traditional commencement ceremony.”
To participate in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony, graduates must email the following information to graduation@daytonastate.edu by May 1 at 5 p.m.:
- The correct pronunciation of your name (mandatory)
- A recent photo of you in 4:3 aspect ratio and no larger than 5mb (optional)
- A brief message or acknowledgement that is 20 words or less (optional)
Student Government Association President Stephen Miksits shared a message with his fellow DSC students earlier this semester, urging students to keep their goals in mind, to stay safe and take things one day at a time.
“I urge each of you to remind yourselves of your goals daily,” Miksits wrote. “Take each day and each challenging situation one step at a time. The steps being taken are to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to flatten the exponential curve of contagion infection. Through our sacrifices of convenience, we are contributing to the protection of an entire world.”
He concluded, “Remember your goals and remember to communicate with your faculty if you are experiencing challenges you are unsure of how to handle. Challenge your comfort zone and strive for your goals and you will flourish as a student and individual. Our resolve is strong, and our Falcon Family is stronger! We will succeed regardless of these challenges!”
Visit DSC’S COVID-19 page here to stay up to date and stay safe as our graduating class of 2020 is celebrating virtually later this month.