Congrats,
Class of 2020!
IU Southeast honored graduates via a virtual recognition on Monday, May 12, the day that would’ve been the in-person commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 2020 consisted of 919 candidates, including 814 bachelor’s degrees, 120 master’s degrees and 5 associate degrees. “The IU Southeast Class of 2020 has embodied the spirit of perseverance, flexibility, and patience,” said IU Southeast Chancellor Ray Wallace. “They are this region’s next leaders, next innovators and next creative minds. They are our dreamers. They are our doers. They are our future. I am proud of them all, and I am honored to have them represent our university.” The celebration included a commencement website, where graduates could search by name and find video remarks from IU President Michael A. McRobbie, Chancellor Ray Wallace, and the deans of each IU Southeast school. The website also featured a commencement program that displayed each graduate’s name, celebratory music and virtual displays that graduates could use to “photograph” themselves in front of iconic campus locations.
“This spring was obviously not ideal, but I believe IU Southeast did a fantastic job in virtually recognizing the 2020 graduating class,” said Chase Howard, a graduating senior. “While we couldn't have commencement, efforts were still made to show that our class wasn't forgotten, and also that something must be done to celebrate our individual achievements. Overall, the commencement website was very well put together, incredibly thoughtful and extremely meaningful, especially during a time such as this one.” In addition to the website, graduates also received at-home deliveries with special gifts and congratulatory notes, as well as a campus-specific bicentennial poster commemorating their place as a graduate in Indiana University’s Bicentennial Year. “I liked the virtual commencement and how they were able to celebrate us,” said Class of 2020 graduate Cory Byers. “I used several of the backdrops to send to my family members and the links for the videos. I wanted to make sure they were able to celebrate with me. Even though the experience was unexpected and not what we all anticipated, it was still fun to be able to celebrate. I really enjoyed hearing my name announced as a graduate of social sciences.”
Header image: Cory Byers uses a virtual backdrop to celebrate commencement.
A breakdown of the Class of 2020:
2020 IU Southeast seniors give advice to their freshmen selves.
“You finished strong.
You finished IU strong.
You finished proud.”