Marquette University honored the historic Class of 2020 with a graduate recognition walk Saturday, Oct. 2, on the university’s Central Mall.
Class of 2020 graduates were recognized by Marquette President Michael R. Lovell, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimo Ah Yun, and university leaders, and had their names called during a procession on stage. Up to two guests were able to cross the stage with each graduate.
“Your Marquette experience was punctuated by moments of great celebration and triumph – as well as change and evolution — long before COVID became a household term. In this way, you lived in the example of the Jesuits, who have faced and adapted to extraordinary change over the last five centuries,” said President Lovell.
“You are some of the most adaptable, versatile students we have ever graduated at Marquette. You are resilient, tenacious, innovative, and driven. Let all that you gained here guide you forward in service of others.”
Following the graduate recognition walk, graduates and their guests were invited to a reception in the Alumni Memorial Union, Monaghan Ballroom.
More than 450 graduates of Marquette’s Class of 2020 and over 1,200 total participants were in attendance.
Vlada Snyder, Health Sciences ’20, served as the class speaker.
“It is incredibly surprising yet so wonderful to see you all after this unique and unprecedented time in history. We will be known as the class that graduated into a pandemic, and that comes with its burdens, but also so many opportunities. The past year has been difficult for many, but the pandemic has put our inner strength to the test and has thrust upon us the opportunity to not only portray the characteristics of courage, resiliency and perseverance, but also to encourage those around us to do the same. These are characteristics we have learned by example—from our professors and staff members—and we look to them to teach us not only about our fields of study, but also how to be leaders in our world.”
A recording of the Graduate Recognition Walk and Program is available on YouTube at this link.
Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
