Drive-thru Commencement Ceremony
“We had to think outside the box."
Another casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic was the planned in-person, traditional commencement ceremonies for 2020 spring and summer semester graduates at Gadsden State Community College.
“We had to think outside the box when the decision was made not to host the in-person ceremonies,” said Laura Swann, Gadsden State’s registrar. “We still wanted to host an event that honored our graduates and recognized their accomplishments while limiting direct contact and allowing social distancing.
The College hosted a “drive-thru” graduation event on Aug. 11, 2020. Students and their friends and family rode through a procession that ended with Gadsden State President Martha Lavender presenting them with their diploma.
“We encouraged graduates to celebrate the milestone with whomever they wanted to have in the car with them,” Swann said. “There were people in the backs of trucks and in convertibles. The graduates decorated their cars. It ended up being a lot of fun under the circumstances.”
Employees were positioned along sidewalks to greet students in their vehicles and give them instructions on how to proceed along the drive-thru graduation route.
The actual ceremony, which took place near Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center, included an announcement of the student’s name, the diploma presentation and a photo opportunity. The video of the event in its entirety was posted on Gadsden State social media platforms.
“We understand the disappointment felt by graduates, their families and friends due to not having a traditional commencement ceremony,” Swann said. “But, it was evident that the graduates enjoyed the drive-thru graduation. We appreciate their understanding.”
View photos from the ceremony here:
