Postponing the Pomp Doesn't Diminish the Circumstance

This is the time of year educators anticipate with excitement and pride. It’s the time of year that reminds us why we do what we do—and why it matters. It’s the time of year I normally have the privilege of congratulating hundreds of graduating students as they cross the stage to shake my hand and receive their diplomas.

Every year, it’s clear to me that each graduate who crosses the stage has a unique story. And every one of those stories has drama: plot twists, compelling characters, conflict, and the promise of a happy ending. At every commencement, there are students who’ve overcome enormous barriers to achieve their aspirations. And, every year, commencement is a vivid reminder of the human spirit’s ability to triumph over challenging circumstances.

This year, there will be no shaking of hands or handing of diplomas for at least the next few months. But the biggest difference between the class of 2020 and its predecessors is that, this year, every graduate’s story has been altered by a plot twist none of us imagined. A plot twist we all share, even if we experience it in different ways.

By any measure, the class of 2020 has missed out on a lot—including a traditional commencement celebration. But its members have also earned the right to celebrate their resilience and resolve. They’ve demonstrated extraordinary grit and they’ve more than earned a place of distinction in our collective memory. They will forever be remembered for their grace and poise in the face of disappointment and adversity.

This week, I’m celebrating all the college graduates whose commencement wasn’t what they’d imagined—but was nonetheless a testament to their fortitude in extraordinary circumstances. Congratulations to this exceptional group of graduates, the class of 2020.