New River Valley Times

New River Community College issued the following announcement.

New River Community College held three in-person commencement ceremonies for graduates from the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years last week, May 12 and May 14. 

NRCC held three separate ceremonies for graduates within their specific programs to ensure that all aspects of state guidance were followed based on recent capacity guidance from the Governor’s office regarding college commencement events. 

The associate degree nursing ceremony for spring 2020 and spring 2021 graduates and practical nursing summer 2020 graduates was held on Wednesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. Students in the division of arts and sciences for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years were honored on Friday, May 14 at 5 p.m.  Students in the division of business and technologies for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years were honored on Friday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m.

NRCC President Pat Huber addressed graduates at all three ceremonies. 

“I look forward to what you, our graduates, will do.  You have shown what you can do--this last year and half have proven that!” remarked Huber.  “So now it is time to go forward with your knowledge and skills and do great things.  Surround yourselves with successful friends, colleagues, and mentors and believe in yourselves because we believe in you.

NRCC College Board Chair Steve Harvey of the City of Radford brought remarks on behalf of the Board at the May 14 ceremonies.

“Graduates, to say your educational journey may have had a few bumps in the road is an understatement. When everything changed, you rolled with the punches every time,” “But I hope you are able to see now that the rewards of learning are life-changing. Education gives you the opportunity to design your own future, to grow as leaders in your communities, in business, or in government.”

Due to space limitations, only graduates and limited faculty/staff were permitted to attend their designated ceremony in person. All COVID-19 safety protocols were followed by those attending the ceremonies, including physical distancing and face mask requirements for every participant.  The three ceremonies were livestreamed for family, friends, and others to view off-campus.  To view the ceremonies online, visit NRCC’s graduation webpage at www.nr.edu/students/graduation.php.

Original source can be found here.