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Ceremony features students experiencing rites of passage ruined during the COVID-19 pandemic

By Jon Fassnacht and Sarah Matarella

All commencements are important. But this one was extra special.

On May 11, ����ԭ�� celebrated more than 600 students in the Class of 2024 with an indoor commencement at Santander Arena, the first ����ԭ�� ceremony held at the downtown Reading venue since 2019.
 

The event, which anchored a revamped commencement-ceremony weekend, allowed many students to finally walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, something they couldn’t do at their high school ceremonies.

And one of the graduates had four legs.

The COVID Class

“This year’s commencement carries a profound significance for each one of us,” President Fitzgerald said during the event. “Being together holds a special meaning for the over 400 students here who graduated high school in May 2020, when the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic deprived you of this pivotal milestone. I hope you’ve had the opportunity in recent weeks to honor this rite of passage.”

About two-thirds of the students honored during ����ԭ��’s commencement graduated high school in the spring of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic made holding large-scale ceremonies all but impossible. Schools adapted as best they could, but the makeshift events, coming as they did after months of additional missed milestones, felt empty — quite literally, in some cases.

“I remember walking down an empty gym and then walking across a stage with no one really being in there. It was all recorded and just didn’t feel real,” said Aja Walker of Bear, Delaware, who received a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Science during ����ԭ��’s ceremony. “But walking across the stage to graduate from ����ԭ�� was overwhelming and such an accomplishing experience. I felt the love and appreciation more than I ever could have expected.”

Like the final months of the group’s high school careers, the initial months of college were trying, but social distancing felt like a distant memory during commencement.

The walk was perhaps the sweetest for Amanda Hill of Reading. A physical disability left the biology major bedridden at 16, forcing her to experience the rest of high school online. But she persevered through grueling physical therapy sessions to get in shape to walk at her high school graduation.

“I pushed myself, I pushed myself ... and then I graduated in my car,” Hill said before the ceremony. “So this is the first time that I will actually physically be able to walk during graduation and I’m so excited.”

Paws for Thought

Only 5 years old, Edoras “Eddie” Hallameyer is far from your typical graduate. He’s also quick to wag his tail when offered treats.

A psychiatric service dog for Sara Hallameyer ’24 since 2019, Eddie received an honorary degree alongside his owner at the ceremony.

Eddie started as an emotional support animal during Sara’s transition from high school to college and has served as Sara’s support system ever since, officially becoming a service dog during the spring semester of her first year at ����ԭ��. In addition to his tasks, the beagle mix also served as a Golden Guide alongside his human when she assisted prospective students and families during admissions events or campus tours.

Though only a brief interlude in a day filled with memorable moments, Eddie’s achievement made quite the impression on those in attendance.

“I could go on and on about the heartfelt speeches and all the proud families,” said Franca Felcher, whose son Michael graduated with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. “But what stuck in our minds, and we still talk about it, was the dog getting the honorary degree.”

Sara is attending West Chester University to pursue her master’s degree in biology. And her ever-present canine companion continues to be right by her side.

“I’m going to get him a lab coat, lab goggles and boots so that he can be with me in the lab, which I’m very excited about,” Sara said.

Reimagined Festivities

In prior years, commencement weekend events were spaced across multiple weekends. This year, the events — which included pinning ceremonies for health science programs, a senior athlete award reception, an honors convocation and a baccalaureate mass — were limited to one weekend to help reduce travel for families attending multiple ceremonies.

The condensed schedule made it easier for Naomi Hoxter to see daughter Akilah, a track and field captain who graduated with a Master of Science in Athletic Training, honored at the athletes’ reception.

“I enjoyed the athletes’ ceremony where many athletes were recognized for all of their accomplishments,” said Hoxter of Bear, Delaware.

She called the commencement ceremony “absolutely amazing and so organized,” a sentiment echoed by Felchar.
 

“The atmosphere was electric for the celebration, and it was a beautiful setting,” she said. “The speakers were very inspiring and heartfelt, and it created a moment of profound accomplishment for my son.”