MCC To Celebrate Class of 2020 with Virtual Commencement

Middlesex Community College is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and success of its students. MCC’s class of 2020 cannot celebrate in person because of COVID-19 and the temporary closure of The Lowell Memorial Auditorium. The college has orchestrated a virtual celebration that will air at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 21 on Lowell’s local access station LTC. At 9:30 a.m., the ceremony will start with a photomontage of the graduates from the past year.

In her 30 years of working in higher education, Pam Flaherty, MCC’s Dean of Students, has witnessed the “determination” and “strength” of community college students working towards their goals. For the class of 2020, she describes the “grit, perseverance and resiliency” they have shown, even under a virtual lens.

“Many of us are missing the distraction of spectator sports in this unexpected and difficult time,” she said. “In the face of adversity, fear and anxiety, the determination and resolve of our graduates has brought the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. You are champions! I honor, respect and applaud the class of 2020 in this virtual celebration and know that they will leave their ‘imprint’ in purpose, spirit, endurance and generosity in our world forever!”

A virtual commencement ensures each graduate will be recognized, while all of MCC’s students, faculty and staff remain safe. There will be special messages from the college President James C. Mabry and Provost Phil Sisson. Program Deans will read the names of the students.

Flaherty believes the two student speakers – Ijebusonma Agundu and Celia Garron – exemplify the determination and strength of the 2020 class.

"Writing this speech made me vulnerable because I was sharing a part of me that people hardly knew about,” Agundu said. “This year really taught us a lot about flexibility, strength and perseverance! We might not be together in our robes this year, but this is our ode, our moment, so let’s be proud of it!

“These are challenging times but let’s smile because we didn’t mount this milestone alone – because it took a village. It took your hard work, sleepless nights, patience and help from the teachers. Let’s not allow this virus to take away our joy or ruin our parade! Salute to the Class of 2020, because we made it!”

For many years, Colleen Cox, MCC’s Chief Administrative Officer, has led the cross-college group that plans the event. For 2020’s commencement, they made the decision to do everything possible to still create a time and way for MCC’s students to be celebrated.

“We are extremely proud of the program we have,” she said. “We have included footage of past ceremonies that includes a platform party, faculty and staff processional from the Cowan Center across the street to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, bagpipes playing, and the more than 50 flags carried by Lowell High School ROTC that represent the countries of our students. Although we are not able to celebrate in-person, we are committed to offering the same pomp and circumstance to our 2020 graduates.”

While this year’s ceremony is virtual, the group believes MCC’s class of 2020 deserves to wear their caps and gowns and walk across the stage.

“Although we cannot celebrate together in person, I want students to know that – along with the faculty and staff of the college – I am tremendously proud of their accomplishments,” said James C. Mabry, MCC’s President. “Even though the class of 2020 will have officially graduated, we are inviting the more than 1,000 graduates to next year's commencement ceremony, giving them the opportunity to wear their cap and gown and officially cross the stage.”

The 2020-2021 year will mark the college’s 50th Anniversary, providing the 2020 and 2021 graduates a celebration with faculty, staff and alumni from across the college’s 50-year history.

To make room for this larger group, the 2021 ceremony will be held as Lowell’s Tsongas Arena. According to Cox, at this time “we will highlight and celebrate our hardworking and resilient MCC alums and graduates.”

To make this year’s commencement more personal, MCC’s Department of Marketing Communications has created digital ways for graduates and their families to celebrate, including providing details for students to host virtual watch parties.

“Commencement is the most important day in the life of a student,” said Beth Noel, MCC’s Director of Marketing Communications. “On the College’s website, you can download printable posters, graphics to share on social media, and backgrounds to use during watch parties. On the graduation website, you can also find a list of all graduate names, academic honors and awards. Our graduates worked hard for this moment and we want to make sure that even during this pandemic, they are acknowledged.”

All that is required to watch the virtual commencement is internet access and a device. Visit https://www.ltc.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/LTCLowell/ to join in on the celebration.

Register for MCC’s online Quickstart and Summer Sessions 1 & 2 starting on May 26. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration or call 1-800-818-3434.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!