Rice hosts virtual commencement
Though Rice University senior Eric Shi was sitting alone at his computer Saturday afternoon for his graduation, he had a whole community behind him — albeit, a virtual one.
The private Houston university streamed online graduation ceremonies in the form of prerecorded feature-length films for its undergraduates, doctoral students and those earning advanced degrees
Saturday afternoon, as more than 2,000 people watched on their devices from around the world and cheered in the comments section. The undergraduate commencement received more than 12,000 views on Facebook and more than 5,600 on YouTube.
“It was definitely a mix of a lot of emotions,” said Shi, who studied sociology and policy studies at Rice.
Shi enjoyed the company of his friends in a large group chat during the ceremony. His parents, who live in China, planned to watch later.
Rice’s films captured memories, harking back to when students were on campus with clips of move-in and orientation week, of students conducting research and lectures in classroom, and the last few moments on campus. The video also included student speakers and profiles, encouraging messages from the university community and the reading of each graduating student’s name by their respective
college leaders.
“It was quick, but it was also nice because after your name gets called, you get messages from friends or a picture of your slide, saying ‘My family and I cheered for you,’ ” Shi said.
Uncertainty and resilience were resounding themes, with references to both the COVID-19 pandemic and the class of 2020’s experience with Hurricane Harvey.
“I believe because of your sacrifices and your determination to finish what you started and achieve your goals regardless of the hardships of this spring, you and Rice will come through this pandemic even stronger, more resilient, more knowledgeable, more grateful, more technically adept, more compassionate, more giving, and wiser than we were before,” Rice President David Leebron said during the video. “This was, we know, not the ending you envisioned, but we call today’s event a commencement for a reason. And let us hope and indeed believe that it is the beginning of things even greater than what you imagined. So take these difficult circumstances to celebrate all the more the accomplishments we recognize today.”
Like other colleges around the country, the Houston university closed its campus, resumed classes online and postponed its in-person spring commencement to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Many Texas colleges have offered students the option to walk across the stage later in the year, and some to attend a virtual celebration or commencement.
“Obviously, (I’m) still sad it’s not in person and that I’m not hugging my friends,” Shi said, but for what it was, “it turned out really well.”
Rice graduate Gabrielle Falcon celebrated commencement Saturday with a full-on watch party with her family in Fort Worth
‘So well done’
“It was actually so well done,” Falcon said of the video, adding that she appreciated Leebron’s comments that recognized the effects people might be experiencing during the pandemic, while also emphasizing his pride and the students’ achievements.
“You can just tell from having the adults speak, there really is a big connection between anyone and it really is difficult to say goodbye without saying goodbye . ... I’m really glad they had our magisters do speeches,” Falcon said, adding that she cried once they announced that the students had officially graduated.
“My family went all out,” said Falcon, the second child in her family to earn a degree. Her family dressed up and decorated the house with balloons and streamers. Her grandmother also catered the event with hors d’oeuvres, and the family celebrated with cake.
To replicate some of Rice traditions, which typically include festivities during Senior Week, Falcon said the celebrations will continue into the night.
“They tried to make it as normal as possible, but they treated it as a normal graduation with the whole shabang,” Falcon said.
Ellie Mix, who studied English and art history, watched the ceremony with her housemates — also graduating seniors — and her mother, who drove in from San Antonio, at a hotel restaurant in Houston. The seniors, wearing their graduation stoles, celebrated with champagne.
While Mix said she thought
Rice did a good job by complementing speeches with videos of students and campus, she found the constant mention of the coronavirus slightly off-putting.
“We all know why we’re online. Every new speaker doesn’t have to address it,” Mix said, but she was encouraged by Leebron’s mention that students’ accomplishments cannot be undermined and his advice for graduates to celebrate when and how they can.
“It’s a lot of emotions combined. At first, I was very disappointed that classes were canceled and we were all sent home,” Mix said. “Now, I’m a lot more grateful for the time I’ve had at Rice.”
Though the virtual commencement wasn’t able to fill all the voids, some students said they held their own versions that helped commemorate their last days at Rice.
When Rice announced in mid-March that campus would close and classes would resume online, seniors organized an impromptu quasi-graduation, where students — many sporting their caps and gowns — led processions through campus with flags, printed mock commencement programs and music from Rice’s Marching Owl Band. Some also made what might be their final official walk through the Sallyport — an archway that by tradition students pass through once during their matriculation and only again as seniors during their graduation. Leebron, other faculty members and some parents on campus witnessed the moment.
Falcon and Shi both said they felt fortunate to participate in the last-minute ceremony.
“It definitely helped minimize the sadness of not having commencement this weekend. We kind of had a symbolic graduation, walking through Sallyport and taking pictures with friends. But it’s definitely still sad,” Shi said.
Mix said she and her roommates celebrated their graduation by hosting a day filled with their favorite things. They played card games, made a charcuterie board, watched the sun set on a bridge in the city and made slideshow presentations about their experiences at Rice that were filled with pictures and funny commentary. Mix said they also partook in a quasi-form of the Sallyport tradition using an archway in their home, and announced their names, leaving extra time in between each so as to give the feel of their names being called on graduation day.
Still, students are looking forward to celebrating at the ceremony to be held for students later this year.
“I’m glad they’re still doing an in-person commencement later on. Obviously we don’t know when’s that happening. It’s a little up in the air, but I will try to come back regardless where I am,” said Shi, whose job is postponed indefinitely.
Mix said she’s also looking forward to an in-person commencement, which will likely feel like a much-needed reunion after this year’s events.
“I hope we can collectively look back about it and laugh about it in a few years and not take away too much bitterness or sadness. … I understand why it has to be this way,” Shi said. “In the grand scheme of things, (having a graduation ceremony) is not the most important thing right now, but I appreciate there’s still effort being to put in.”
Others go online
Prairie View A&M University similarly hosted an hourlong virtual celebration, themed “Stronger Together,” with more than 25,000 guests on May 9, during which Prairie View officials conferred degrees to 873 students, according to a university release. The celebration featured messages from current students and alumni and kicked off with well-wishes from Texas A&M University Chancellor John Sharp, board of regents chair Elaine Mendoza and Prairie View A&M President Ruth J. Simmons.
“Like every other sector, education has been disrupted and transformed, perhaps permanently, by this (COVID-19) contagion,” Simmons told students. “Such an occurrence could have delayed or even curtailed your progress toward degree completion. The fact that you are celebrating your graduation is a testament to your determination, flexibility and adaptability. These are qualities that you have honed over the past several weeks and, believe me, they will take you far in life as you face both obstacles and opportunities.”
University of Texas at Austin plans to host its virtual celebration with Brene Brown, a UT alumna and renowned University of Houston researcher, as commencement speaker starting at 9 p.m. May 23.
Houston Community College will hold virtual, livestreamed commencement options for all ceremonies on May 22 and has invited graduates to attend a ceremony in the fall.