University of La Verne Celebrates In-Person Commencement
The University of La Verne graduates of spring 2020, and winter and spring 2021 finally had their day in the sun鈥攍iterally鈥攐n June 12 as they proudly marched into San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino for in-person commencement ceremonies. The easing of statewide restrictions on large outdoor gatherings made it possible for the university to hold an in-person graduation ceremony for the first time since pandemic-related closures began in March 2020.
鈥淭he in-person ceremony was everything I could鈥檝e hoped for,鈥� said Elizabeth Galioto 鈥�20, who earned a bachelor of science degree in sociology. 鈥淚t gave me closure for my senior year getting cut short. My name being called and walking across that stage is a moment I will cherish forever. I am so thankful University of La Verne gave us this opportunity and didn鈥檛 forget about the 2020 grads. I am a proud Leo for Life.鈥�
Jasmine Jancan 鈥�20 noted that 鈥渋t meant a lot to me being first generation to walk and have my family there to celebrate with me.鈥� And, she added, 鈥渋t also meant the world to see all my friends again and, in a sense, bring closure to my undergrad years.鈥� Jancan earned a bachelor of science degree in criminology. 鈥淚 felt like I didn鈥檛 get the live some of my college 鈥榣asts,鈥� so getting to walk, even being a year later, gave me that one last memory,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was very special to me.鈥�
To accommodate the approximately 1,500 graduates who wanted to participate, the university held ceremonies at 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. Each graduate could request up to four tickets for family and friends. The ceremonies included the traditional entry to 鈥淧omp and Circumstance,鈥� remarks by university President Devorah Lieberman, the alma mater school song, and the turning-of-the tassel marking the transition from student to graduate.
The proudest moment came, though, as each graduate鈥檚 name was called as they walked across the stage. It was a moment to savor, and one that many perhaps thought they would never get to experience. 鈥淭he school did an outstanding, phenomenal job,鈥� said Giovanni Trejo, MS 鈥�21. 鈥淭his is a closure of one chapter in my life, and an opening of a new chapter.鈥�
Missed the in-person commencement? Relive the experience by clicking the ceremony links available at laverne.edu/commencement.
