One by one, the Hamline University graduates wearing black gowns, caps and mandatory masks walked across the stage as their names were read. Their loved ones applauded and shouted with joy, some of them in tears, as they captured the milestone moment on their cellphone cameras.
The Friday graduation ceremony at the St. Paul RiverCentre was not just special because it was the private university's first in-person commencement in more than a year. This ceremony honored graduates from the class of 2020, a year after the COVID-19 pandemic upended their final college moments and robbed them of a traditional graduation.
"We promised them that we would recognize them when we were able to do so," Hamline President Fayneese Miller said. "This is a group that always maintained hope."
Hamline did not hold a virtual commencement ceremony last year, either, instead filming a 7.5-minute degree conferral video for its graduates featuring remarks from Miller and student and faculty speakers. The celebration held Friday had much of the pomp and circumstance seen at graduations in years past, minus the guest speakers and honorary degree recipients.
About 180 Hamline graduates from last year's class were split into two groups that walked during separate ceremonies held roughly an hour apart.
Each graduate was allowed two guests, who were seated in pairs spaced 6 feet apart from others.
The occasion marked a major milestone for both Hamline graduate Cathy Ngo, 23, and her family. Ngo, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology, is the first in her family to graduate from college.
Her parents attended the ceremony and her grandparents watched via livestream.
