MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — During the first-ever online WVU Mountaineer Graduation Day Saturday, 4,500 students received diplomas and and an inspiring message from President Gordon Gee.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Maryanne Reed set the stage early by preparing the students for the twists and turns the first virtual ceremony would take.
“Now we realize this isn’t the commencement ceremony your were planning for,” Reed said. “But, it will be the commencement ceremony you’ll remember.”
Gee noted he delivered the last graduating class virtually while recovering from hip replacement surgery and acknowledged his surprise that he’s doing it virtually again.
“I cannot tell you how much I miss all of you,”Gee said. “As you continue traveling toward your dreams in the years ahead, you will understand better than any class before that journeys can make shocking and unexpected detours.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2020. Each and every one of you have my love and best wishes. You will always have a home at West Virginia University. pic.twitter.com/x9f7C8B2ow
— E. Gordon Gee (@gordongee) May 16, 2020
Gee reminded the class of the many positive changes that can be made as a result of the pandemic.
“Let this period of social distancing remind you how very precious human connections are,” Gee said,”Instead of returning to normal when this is over, build a richer one with less texting and more togetherness.”
Namesake of the John Chambers School of Business and Economics, state native John Chambers, weighed in on the value of an education from West Virginia University.
“You are prepared to do whatever you want in life and to have the courage to take risks, and the courage to fail and to realize graduating from West Virginia, you can do anything you want in terms of opportunities and challenges,” Chambers said.
Country music singer and West Virginia native Brad Paisley was awarded with an Presidential Honorary Degree and led the class in a commencement rendition of “Country Roads.”
“I love what the school is, I love the state of West Virginia and in these times it’s such an honor to be holding this,” Paisley said. “And to the rest of the class of 2020 please go out there, make a difference, change the world, use your degree for the best. Good luck to all of us.”