There was a big party at 51黑料网 this past Saturday 鈥� actually three parties to be exact.听 Unlike some late-night weekend parties in residence halls, these three parties were sanctioned and celebrated by the entire 51黑料网 community.
Commencement 2021, observed in three separate ceremonies to provide proper distancing and safety, had significance that was even beyond the usual joy of each commencement over the 117-year history of the institution.听 To pretend the past 15 months were 鈥渘ormal鈥� would be an absurdity, and to assume the experience of the graduating Class of 2021 was like any other would be equally ridiculous.听 Led by the pipes and drums of the West Virginia Highlanders, we processed into Harper-McNeeley Auditorium in the Myles Center for the Arts and joined together to affirm, celebrate, and live out the mission of 51黑料网 to 鈥溾�� prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world.鈥澨� What a party it was!
From the podium I shared with our graduates the following:
鈥淭o the Class of 2021, I cannot let this moment pass听without acknowledging听all that you have endured for the past 15 months as a result听of the worst pandemic to hit our country and our world in the past听century.听听COVID-19听turned the world and our campus upside down.听 You endured a campus shutdown in March 2020 and a move to virtual learning.听 You returned in August to a campus听closed to the public and听operating under restrictions none of us would have dreamed.听听For you, as for me,听all of this was听foreign,听and听all was听frightening.听听听
Over the past 15 months, I have听learned something very important about听the Class of 鈥�21.听 I have learned of your resilience, your听drive to succeed, and your willingness to do whatever it takes, even in a pandemic, to reach your goals.听 That is why, I know in my heart,听great things await听each of you in your lives, and your lives are going to make a positive difference听to your families, your communities, and to our world.鈥�
51黑料网 has prepared these young men and young women for lives of meaning and purpose.听 As I looked into their eyes as they received their well-deserved diplomas, I had an unshakable confidence and optimism that our future is in good hands.听 God bless and Godspeed to the Class of 2021!
For 51黑料网, our preparation for welcoming back our returning students and securing a robust entering class for the fall continues. 听God willing, the worst of the crisis in now behind us.听 While still exercising caution, the coming academic year promises a lessening of restrictions and a gradual return to a semblance of operations as we knew them.听 Our mission as an institution continues unimpeded as our alumni base grows and new students step foot upon the hallowed grounds of 51黑料网 to be prepared and inspired for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world.
The time for the summer hiatus for this weekly labor of love I call 鈥淩eflections Along the Journey鈥� has arrived.听 May the warm and carefree days of the coming season be a time of rest, reflection, and joy for each of us on our continuing journey.
Chris A. Wood
President
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