Lycoming College’s Class of 2020 ‘finally’ walks the stage
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A celebration delayed from last year was summed up by senior speaker, Daniel Egan, "Lycoming College Class of 2020--we finally made it," as he addressed a group of his classmates who had returned to the campus for the commencement they never had due to the pandemic. Between 130 and 140 graduates had been expected to attend Saturday's ceremony.
"Graduation ceremonies may have taken a bit longer than expected to occur, but we're here now and it's time to celebrate our years at Lycoming," Egan said.
During the ceremony, the crowd of family and friends gathered on the college's Fultz Quad waved programs to combat the heat of the day, which reached the upper 80's but felt much hotter until clouds arrived with a cool breeze.
Dr. Kent Trachte, president of the college, noted that if commencement had been held when it had been rescheduled from the spring last year to Oct. 4, snow flurries had been in the forecast.
"Thank you for your patience and waiting for the right time for this ceremony. We are gratified by your enthusiasm and your joy about being here today," Trachte said.
The weather was not the only contrast for this year's event as the 2020 graduates celebrated the milestone one year out from finishing their college career. Their exuberance was evident as shouts were heard repeatedly as the graduates received their diplomas and shook Trachte's hand.
"Fourteen months after the onset of the pandemic after an exhausting and often tragic battle with COVID-19, our country has finally reached a point where we can gather again safely," Trachte said, marking the event where masks were no longer required in the outdoor setting, people shook hands and hugs were given.
"You the class of 2020 have had to navigate uncharted territory. Your first year as a college graduate has been unique in modern history," he added.
Egan offered advice for the graduates on how to move forward utilizing what they have learned at Lycoming.
He challenged his classmates to "get uncomfortable."
"So often people in our world people get comfortable about how things are going and how they live their lives. When things are going terribly for others but it doesn't affect us personally, we can often put on blinders so that we don't have to deal with those challenges," he said.
"However, the world and our surroundings are changing with every second, with every day and we need to keep up. Thinking deeply will allow us to act boldly. We must continually stay uncomfortable so that we may grow and try new things, to challenge the status quo to make real change. Don't just talk about it, let's be about it," he added.
In his closing remarks, Egan urged his fellow graduates to do what his father always told him when he dropped him off at preschool–"have a great day and make a new friend."
As the graduates recessed at the end of the ceremony, a pop could be heard followed by blue confetti raining down on the crowd.