A new reality

By Garrett Read

After leaving my finance lecture on a Monday night in mid-March, I learned that Western Michigan University would be moving courses to distance education. What remained of my college experience was evaporating. 

Ending my senior year with a major in marketing and minor in finance, I wondered how everything would play out. With COVID-19 creating a staggering impact on global education, I soon realized that the remainder of my semester would be an online classroom experience. Skeptical at first, I questioned how the faculty would implement a platform that was accessible to all students. Thankfully, the professors at the Haworth College of Business worked quickly to provide continuity in the educational experience in a virtual setting. While taking upper-level business courses online has been a challenge, I am sincerely grateful to the faculty members who have supported me in every way.

The University made the executive decision to postpone graduation, which was then followed by the governor’s stay-at-home order. Many of us were holding out hope for a commencement ceremony, but we also understand the challenges of the current environment and the efforts students and faculty will make to transition to future semesters online.

In these times, it is important to reflect on our current situation and to connect with our loved ones and friends. With the world coming to a standstill and the unpredictability of COVID-19, we are all faced with a situation that is uncontrollable. This is a pivotal time to come together and provide as much assistance to one another as possible. With the network of support here, I am confident that Western Michigan University will continue to progress and build our community while prioritizing student needs. 

Considering COVID-19 has created a new reality, my hopes for the future revolve around being able to adjust accordingly until the crisis has ended. Even under these extreme conditions, I plan to continue my job search for a position in the corporate world. Though my time at Western Michigan University is coming to an end, I would like to acknowledge the vast amount of opportunities I had at WMU. While in-classroom learning is not an option currently, I am certain that WMU will continue to provide a well-rounded education for future students.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a WMU student and proud to be a WMU alum!