Sunday, May 3 marked what would have been Commencement for Bluffton University’s class of 2020. Although the university plans to hold a ceremony on Saturday, July 18 with a backup date of Sunday, Oct. 11, the now-graduates were forced to spend their planned graduation day differently than anyone was expecting because of COVID-19. Here’s a look at how some of the class of 2020 celebrated graduation in this unique situation.
From top to bottom and left to right. Levi Litwiller, Ethan Zaerr, Ryan Oostland, Sydney Cobb, Emma Cobb and Rowena Zuercher. Photo courtesy of Levi Litwiller.
Levi Litwiller
Chemistry and physics majors, mathematics minor
Levi Litwiller celebrated graduation with a group of his close Bluffton friends via video chat. Litwiller said he’s been to at least seven graduations, as well as two of his own, so not having this one wasn’t a huge deal to him.
“I was mostly okay with not having an official graduation,” Litwiller said. “More than graduation, I’m sad to have lost the last few weeks of college with my friends.”
Litwiller plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall to work towards his PhD in chemistry.
Business administration major, coaching minor
Kaylie Marshall. Photo courtesy of Kaylie Marshall.
Kaylie Marshall
Business administration major, coaching minor
Kaylie Marshall celebrated graduation “quarantine style” by doing an Instagram takeover of Bluffton’s volleyball page and having a “goofy” graduation ceremony. She also hung out with family and had a few family members stop by with cards.
“I’m definitely sad to have missed out on a traditional graduation but you have to make the best of it,” Marshall said. “This is pretty much out of our control so you just have to roll with it.”
Marshall plans to help with her grandpa’s landscaping and mowing business, and plans to work for an internet company she hopes will open soon. She has accepted a position as a sports management assistant for the Dayton Dragons, which she says she will have to take day by day, not knowing what the baseball season will look like in 2020.
Speech pathology and audiology major, special education minor Lexie Montemarano. Photo courtesy of Lexie Montemarano.
Lexie Montemarano
Speech pathology and audiology major, special education minor
Lexie Montemarano celebrated graduation by going to her grandmother’s house for dinner with her boyfriend, Kalus Arnold, also part of Bluffton’s 2020 class. While Montemarano plans to go to the Commencement if it’s in July, she’s unsure if she’ll be able to make the October one because of graduate school.
“I am sad that we did not have an official graduation ceremony,” Montemarano said. “I feel like I didn’t get a proper goodbye to my four years here at Bluffton. I’m hoping we get to have a graduation in July still and get to spend one last time at Bluffton with my friends.”
Montemarano plans to start a graduate program at Baldwin Wallace University in August to get her masters in speech pathology. She will also start her assistantship in the fall, where she’ll do research related to special education.
Courtney Jasinski had a mini graduation with her family. Photo courtesy of Courtney Jasinski.
Courtney Jasinski
Marketing and business administration double major, public relations minor
Courtney Jasinski had a mini celebration with her family for graduation. She’s planning on having a bigger celebration with family when they no longer have to worry about social distancing. Jasinski said she’s already written the dates for the future graduations in her calendar.
“It felt weird not having a graduation, but I totally understand the virus is much bigger than us,” Jasinski said. “I am so thankful Bluffton is still attempting to have an in-person celebration.”
Jasinski is applying for jobs in her field and is looking forward to having a couple of weeks off before starting a full-time job.
Writing major and English and psychology double minor Dani Easterday. Photo courtesy of Dani Easterday.
Dani Easterday
Writing major and English and psychology double minor
Dani Easterday celebrated with her family by ordering chicken alfredo from a local Italian restaurant, followed by getting ice cream from a local shop. Easterday’s grandma and grandpa went with them, driving separately and adhering to the social distancing guidelines. While Easterday said it’s been hard not having a ceremony, she’s been counting her blessings and is thankful for her time at Bluffton.
“I think the only word I have for not having an official graduation yesterday is strange,” Easterday said. “Not having an official ceremony is sad. It can be hard knowing that I didn’t get to have the same experience with graduation as the classes before me, but I’ve been trying to stay very positive during this time.”
Easterday plans to attend Walsh University in the fall, where she will complete her degree in the counseling and human development program in the clinical mental health canceling track.
Beth Weigandt had her parents wear Bluffton shirt in honor of her graduating. Photo courtesy of Beth Weigandt.
Business administration and marketing double major
Beth Weigandt had her parents wear Bluffton t-shirts in honor of graduation day, and her family went on a bike ride together at a local park. She said not having an official graduation yet has been “unsettling,” in part because she’s pictured May 3 as her graduation day for the past three years.
“It has not really hit me yet that I am officially finished with college and won’t be returning to Bluffton to take classes this fall,” Weigandt said. “Graduation is the finish line of college, and until we are able to hold a ceremony together I do not think my journey at Bluffton will not feel complete.”
Weigandt plans to work for her parent’s business, Jason Weigandt Landscape Company, as an office assistant while she looks for a job in a business related field.
Intervention specialist major, speech pathology and audiology minor Robert McMullen-Ruppert. Photo courtesy of Robert McMullen-Ruppert.
Robert McMullen-Ruppert
Intervention specialist major, speech pathology and audiology minor
McMullen-Ruppert said he didn’t celebrate graduating, but will try his best to attend Bluffton’s Commencement ceremony.
“It was a little upsetting [to not have an official graduation yet],” McMullen-Ruppert said. “This was something I was really looking forward to my last four years and it was kind of just taken from me.”
McMullen-Ruppert plans on moving to Columbus, Ohio to start his teaching career.
Speech-language pathology and audiology major and special education minor Cassie Reinhart. Photo courtesy of Cassie Reinhart.
Cassie Reinhart
Speech-language pathology and audiology major and special education minor
Cassie Reinhart played games outside with her parents, brother and sister instead of graduation. They got food from her favorite restaurant, and then she had to go work at Kroger in the evening.
“It felt weird to not have an official graduation,” Reinhart said. “I always imagined I would walk across the stage at Bluffton with my friends and take pictures after and say my goodbyes to everyone, but I never got that.”
In August, Reinhart will be starting graduate school at The University of Toledo for a master’s in speech-language pathology. She will also have a graduate assistant position, where she will either be a research assistant or a teaching assistant.
Hannah McBride with her newly partially shaved head. Photo courtesy of Hannah McBride.
Hannah McBride
Music with a music ministry concentration and worship arts double major
Hannah McBride said she celebrated graduating with a margarita and then shaving part of her hair.
“I’ll be able to come to either [Commencement ceremony date], however I am hoping that it is in October so that I don’t have to miss a friend of mine’s wedding ceremony,” McBride said.
McBride plans to take a gap year and work while she decides if she wants to go to graduate school or not.
Accounting and business administration double major Kirk Kauder. Photo courtesy of Kirk Kauder.
Kirk Kauder
Accounting and business administration double major
Kirk Kauder said he didn’t celebrate graduation on May 3, but plans to with his family in a few weeks.
“Not having an official graduation didn’t really feel much different,” Kauder said. “I still have a year of grad school so I don’t really feel like much of a graduate yet.”
Kauder plans to have an internship with Marathon Petroleum Corporation, which has already postponed its start date. He also plans to get his master’s in accountancy, which will enable him to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam and look for a full time accounting job.
Criminal justice and sociology double major
Heather McConnaughey. Photo courtesy of Heather McConnaughey.
Heather McConnaughey
Criminal justice and sociology double major
Heather McConnaughey spent time with family in lieu of a graduation ceremony. She dyed her mother’s hair, shot guns at targets (they’re all trained in gun safety) and did a facemask with her niece.
“I am angry and bitter that I did not get to celebrate my graduation,” McConnaughey said. “I have worked four long, hard years to be able to walk across the stage in my cap and gown with my two tassels and honor cords with all of my family watching.”
McConnaughey plans to work through the summer and apply for jobs in her field.
Speech-language pathology and audiology major, Bible and theology minor Alexis Cash. Photo by Olivia Tennefoss
Alexis Cash
Speech-language pathology and audiology major, Bible and theology minor
Alexis Cash’s family surprised her by having family and friends, as well as church members, drive by her house, honking and waving signs as they passed. Cash said at least 40 or 50 cars went by. Her church also made her a video of friends, family and people from Bluffton congratulating her.
“It felt weird [to not have an official graduation,]” Cash said. “I remember going to graduation last year to support friends. I got to watch them walk across the stage, hear their names called, and I got to hug them goodbye. It was unfortunate not to be able to do that, but I am hoping they will still have a ceremony at some point.”
Cash is hoping to find a job for the summer before pursuing a Master of Divinity at Yale Divinity School.
Information technology major, business administration minor Michael Short. Photo courtesy of Michael Short.
Michael Short
Information technology major, business administration minor
Michael Short had a surprise drive-by party with family and friends. Short said even some strangers who were out enjoying the sun wished him congratulations as they passed.
“It feels a little weird [without a graduation], but I am okay with that,” Short said. “I know that Bluffton has been working hard to find an alternative date when it is safe for everyone to come together again. I am eagerly awaiting that day, but knowing that it is coming made not having graduation this weekend a bit better. We’re lucky to have an administration that really does care about its seniors.”
Short plans to work at Little Eden for the summer and part of fall, along with taking two summer classes.
