Graduation Day

Virtual commencement celebrates Lyon seniors’ perseverance

Commencement speakers had one message in common for the Lyon College Class of 2020: keep moving forward in these uncertain times. “This is no small feat, especially at Lyon where we were pushed to grow past all expectations, even the expectations we had for ourselves,” senior class president Felicia Horn said, acknowledging that commencement looked different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She encouraged seniors to still treasure the milestone, adding college experiences may become a distant memory soon, but “their effect on our lives will be immeasurable.”

“I hope as we move forward all of us find our happiness in life and that we are never strangers,” Horn said. “Lastly, I wish to say thanks for the memories. I am so grateful to have met all of you.”

Dr. Tami Bond, the Walter Scott Jr. Presidential Chair in Energy, Environment and Health at Colorado State University, gave the commencement address. She assured seniors that uncertainty is OK, especially during a global pandemic.

“I did not realize that the best major I could have chosen was ‘Not today, thank you,’”

said Bond, who received her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at 29 after dropping out when she was 18. Although Bond has since received her master’s degree and Ph.D. and has become a professor, she admitted that she still has not figured out what she wants to do when she grows up. “Since we’re in the middle of a pandemic, you have a lot more uncertainty than I did,” Bond said. “Give yourself a break.”

Bond advised seniors that it is OK to grieve what they have lost. However, she said, they must keep moving forward. Bond told seniors she was not going to give them advice on what to do next, concluding that drawing that map will be their “lifelong job.” “You don’t have to know what you want to do with your life, but you do have to know what you want to do next,” Bond said. “Even if that seems hazy, do something. Follow your compass.”

“It is a messy, uncomfortable, frustrating and joyous process,” she added. “Graduates of Lyon College, congratulations on your achievement! We are all looking forward to seeing how you map this world.”

Director of Creative Services Chris Hill worked with students, staff and faculty in April and May to replicate Lyon traditions on camera, including the faculty gauntlet and the torch-lighting ceremony around Bryan Lake. “We wanted to provide a solution that both honored our graduates and the uniqueness of the Lyon experience,” Hill said. Graduates were mailed packages with their academic regalia, a commencement program and information about how to enjoy the virtual commencement ceremony prior to the event. The Office of Marketing and Communications then sent out videos to graduates featuring Dr. Terrell Tebbetts explaining the logistics and symbolism of the academic regalia. Parents were sent a companion video that offered a tutorial on how to “hood” their graduates.

Jake Cypert, Lyon’s visual storyteller, shot the virtual commencement ceremony over the course of a few weeks in late April and early May, recording segments with the Pipe Band, Dr. Russell Stinson on the organ and the commencement speakers.

Hill said 86 faculty and staff members submitted videos of themselves applauding the graduates for the virtual gauntlet. On the Friday before commencement, the College hosted “Lights and Pipes” on the new multipurpose field to honor the Class of 2020. The Pipe Band played the traditional set for the Scots Walk.

Diplomas and commencement awards were delivered via mail in the week following the ceremony. While several parts of commencement weekend could not be replicated, Hill said the hope was to communicate the pride the College has for its 148th graduating class. “Seeing the whole of the Lyon community come together to celebrate our students’ success, while physically separate, was no surprise,” Hill said.