STC to hold virtual graduation ceremony July 20
Faculty members recently recorded heartfelt messages to graduates, which will be presented during the college’s virtual commencement July 20. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, South Texas College will hold the ceremony for all students who graduated spring 2020.
Recent South Texas College graduate Joy Wells isn’t bothered much about missing her graduation ceremony as a result of COVID-19.
Originally beginning her courses at STC in 2017 as a part-time student, Wells is also a former full-time developmental reading instructor at the college who opted to retire from teaching and pursue a new career in healthcare.
She is now pursuing a career as an inpatient medical coder or in the field of Health Information Technology. Wells said she could empathize with students as well as instructors having to accommodate for the current pandemic, but hopes students especially can use the experience to motivate themselves to achieve higher degrees.
“STC’s virtual ceremony is a chance for public acknowledgement of all the hard work of our graduating students,” Wells said. “It means a great deal to students to have a chance to wear their robes, which symbolize achieving a higher level of education.
“Hopefully they will use this moment to as motivation to continue their educational pursuits, and will be able to once again don their robes when they receive their next degree,” she said.
South Texas College will be holding its Spring 2020 commencement virtually on July 20. Students were asked earlier this summer to begin submitting personal messages and photos, which will then be put on a web slide printed with the student’s name, degree, field of study, and honors.
STC will also share social media videos of faculty congratulating graduates leading up to the virtual ceremony. Students were also sent an email informing them of their marching order, along with specific instructions on how to access the link, and upload their photo and messages to their individual graduate slide.
“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to offer our students a virtual graduation ceremony and wish all graduates the best in their future endeavors,” said Cindy Blanco, Director of Student Records and Registrar at South Texas College. “We know this a dream come true for our students and despite COVID-19, STC made every effort to make this as celebratory as possible for them in honor of all of their sacrifices and achievements.”
Visitors can view the graduation ceremony online at https://virtualgrad.marchingorder.com/southtexascollege/i/