With the end of the semester right around the corner, Ferris seniors are close to putting on their caps and gowns and walking across the stage for their fall graduation ceremony.
For many seniors, this will be their first time walking across the stage in front of friends and family as they were 2020 high school graduates. Due to COVID-19’s first-ever cases striking in 2019, many high schools were shut down forcing the majority of the seniors at the time to graduate either virtually or from their cars.
According to President Bill Pink, Ferris has a commencement committee that “works on everything related to ceremony planning.” Within the next month, the ceremony will be fully planned and ready to go. Pink is prepared to shine a light on this year’s seniors as most of them are walking for the first time.
“We acknowledge the fact that the majority of our seniors were not able to attend their high school graduations,” Pink said. “We will acknowledge this at both ceremonies taking place this year.”
However, for others who did get to walk at their high school graduation, COVID-19 still affected almost half of their college experience.
Business administration senior Tamera Motley will be taking the stage this fall. Though she had a regular high school ceremony, Motley’s life has changed a lot since then. This time graduation comes around for her, she will be experiencing it without someone who was very close to her.
“My mother passed away during the pandemic, so it feels nerve-wracking to walk across the stage without her in the audience,” Motley said. “With my biggest motivator not around, it can be pretty sad, even though I know she is super proud.”
Through her time at Ferris, Motley was well involved in the community by running a small business while also being a part of Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance. She describes her experience as a college student as sometimes feeling “like a lifetime” because of how much she has done. She feels that even though she started college in the beginning of the pandemic, she was still able to “stay dedicated through the pandemic” and “learn, grow and accomplish a lot” in her four years here.
“Ferris made sure to make us graduates feel special by offering quick responses and guidance,” Motley said. “It feels unreal and satisfying to be graduating again. These four years haven’t been the easiest, but I am truly thankful for my university and community. I now have a stream of networks that I can cherish for a lifetime.”
Motley plans to continue working her two jobs after she graduates, as well as starting graduate school to obtain her Masters degree in accelerated business administration.
Business administration senior Lauren Roberts also had a regular high school graduation ceremony, but was still affected by COVID-19 her freshman year. With graduation approaching fast, Roberts feels a mix of emotions. As she’s excited about graduating and starting the next chapter of her life, she’s equally nervous about finding a job. She remembers when she was starting college, she felt similar emotions.
“I didn’t know anyone coming to Michigan, and with COVID, I had no in-person classes, so it sucked,” Roberts said. “But as the years went on, my experience changed and now I’m graduating. It’s very nerve-wracking but also exciting.”
After graduation, she hopes to find a job at a medical device or in a pharmaceutical company. She feels Ferris has been a big help in preparing students for life outside of college.
“Ferris hosted an orientation day and provided the seniors with graduation products, so they have made sure to make us feel special about graduating,” Roberts said. “They also have been helping prepare us in these last stages by helping me gain knowledge about the business world and providing me with hands-on experience like internships.”
Seniors will be closing this chapter of their lives as they proceed into the real world with their new degrees. After the long process the students have gone through, they finally are able to walk across the stage, some for the first time.
“We are so proud of our bulldogs. And if you are graduating in the spring, the finish line is in sight. Finish strong,” Pink said.
Fall commencement will take place on Dec. 15. Doors will open to family and friends at 8 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 9 a.m.