In light of COVID-19, many high schools and college universities had their spring graduation ceremonies postponed, held-online, or cancelled altogether. It’s unfortunate that students’ tenure at their universities had to end this way, but it was the only safe way to celebrate amidst the pandemic.

Ouachita Baptist University, a small liberal arts college in Arkansas, originally postponed their May graduation ceremony to October. We just received word today that in light of current events, they would be cancelling this ceremony as well and possibly looking for an alternative date in December 2020. Rather than waiting until December, we ask Ouachita to consider hosting an online ceremony and sending us all of our memorabilia (caps and gowns, tassels, etc.). It has now been almost 5 months since graduation, and we still do not have any of these items to take pictures or celebrate with.

Although many seniors, including myself, really hoped we could have a ceremony in October, I think we all saw this coming as things have developed. If I’m being completely honest, I’ve lost hope that it would be feasible in December too. With colder weather comes outbreaks of flu and other sicknesses, and we wouldn’t even be able to have the ceremony on Cone Bottoms Lawn like we had originally hoped for.

We have appreciated Ouachita’s efforts in everything they have done to try and create a special day for us, but with it being almost 5 months post-graduation (and 8 months by the time we could even consider another day), many of us are just ready to move on.

Deciding to host the online ceremony and sending us our memorabilia would provide us with closure even if we don’t get to walk. More than half of the student population probably wouldn’t get to attend anyway because of new work and other personal situations.

It’s an unfortunate time for all of us, but it has taught us to adapt and be patient with the ever-changing environment around us. All of the seniors appreciate Ouachita for how much the university has poured into our lives and for the tireless efforts of President Ben Sells and the faculty to make a safe environment for us to celebrate.

For our sake and to end the uncertainty surrounding this day as we begin our new lives post-grad, please consider our petition and hosting an online ceremony. Thank you Ouachita.

Sincerely,

Katharine Camp and the Class of 2020

*Update: I know many seniors would still be willing to come back for a senior dinner or other fun event later on down the road, but for now, we just want to end the uncertainty of when we would get to formally celebrate our achievements. This is an event that is so important to be apart of and so having it online would allow most of the students to be apart of it. Post coronavirus, we could all get together once again at a senior dinner or homecoming event.