Class of 2020 finally celebrates graduation delayed by COVID-19

The class of 2020 has gone through many hardships since the time of their graduation. On Sept. 11, the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University honored this class and all that they have endured.

The graduation was a monumental day for the class of 2020. After the disappointing end of their four years of classes, adventure and hard work, they got to have a commencement ceremony to honor all these challenging and extraordinary achievements.

In March 2020 students were sent home for what was thought to be a two week break to regain health throughout communities across the nation. That two weeks turned into the rest of the year for students. Because of this, the class of 2020 missed many milestones.

“None felt more significant in their absence than the commencement ceremonies for the graduating classes of 2020,” CSB/SJU Provost Richard Ice said. “Staff and administration did their best, and graduates eventually received their diplomas. But after four years of hard work, a walk to the mailbox seems like a disappointing way to receive that diploma when you’ve always imagined a walk across the stage.”

On Clemens Field, the now graduated class sat in no specific order and with no specific gender. These individuals were able to come back and celebrate themselves and each other with their loved ones and friends.

“The ceremony was the perfect level of casual,” 2020 graduate Cullen Trobec said.

The definition of commencement is the act or celebration of a beginning. After one graduates from college, they start a new chapter of their life. The commencement signifies this new chapter of life that these individuals are about to embark in.

“I felt that I could not close that chapter in my life,” 2020 graduate Alaina Graupman said. For many the act of commencement is important so they can celebrate their accomplishments and feel proud of themselves, as they have completed one milestone in their life and are on to the next one.

“We should not underestimate the importance of ceremonies” Ice said.

According to CSB Director of Alumnae Relations Anne Sumangil, nearly 400 class of 2020 graduates attended the ceremony, four of which were School of Theology graduate school graduates.

Traditionally, St. Benedict and St. John’s have held separate ceremonies for their graduates. For the class of 2020, Bennies and Johnnies gathered together to celebrate their overdue commencement.

With all the different routes this past year has taken, it makes it even more triumphant to finally give the class of 2020 the recognition that they deserve.

After the ceremony at Clemens Field, a reception was held at the CSB Mall for graduates, family and friends to continue the celebration.

“I very much appreciated that the schools committed and followed through with honoring all the graduates,” Trobec said.

One could say this is an example of the community built at CSB/SJU.

“I haven’t left CSB/SJU. Not really. And I have realized that I do not need to,” Graupman said.