College of Health and Human Services celebrates grads with drive-through event
Dean Ron Cisler and Buster Bronco welcomed students to the event.
Families came for one last photo op at the college.
(Fully vaccinated) nursing grads and faculty posed for photos.
Students posed for photos with Buster Bronco.
Western Michigan University held virtual commencement ceremonies on May 1 in which more than 2,400 students officially graduated. College of Health and Human Services staff and faculty gathered at the building in the morning to celebrate and take pictures with graduates and their families before the 2 p.m. ceremony.
“In other years and under other circumstances, we’re able to gather together and congratulate our graduates on their accomplishments,” said Dean Ron Cisler. “These individuals earned their degrees in unprecedented circumstances, so we knew that we wanted to go a bit beyond the virtual ceremony.”
Besides graduates and their friends and families, other guests included WMU Provost Dr. Jennifer Bott and a brief visit from Buster Bronco himself.
The college had set up a small backdrop for photos, and the School of Social Work provided graduation gowns for anyone who needed to borrow one, though many came dressed for the occasion.
Dr. Sally Vliem was among several nursing faculty members on hand to cheer for their grads upon arrival. “I watched our virtual pinning ceremony last night and that was great,” said Vliem. “But a group of us wanted to come today to cheer for our graduates in person.”
At one point, about 10 nursing grads emerged from the parking lot in caps and gowns to the cheers and applause from the nursing faculty.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” added Vliem.
“It was such a challenging year for everyone,” said Dr. Laura DeThorne, chair of the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. “So I thought it was very important to come celebrate graduates and their families and wish them well.”
More than 60 graduates stopped by the event throughout the morning. While some indicated they were going on to graduate school, others were planning to begin new jobs immediately.
“Our disciplines have always been extremely impactful in our communities,” said Cisler. “I’m immensely proud of our graduates for reaching this milestone, and I’m sure their perseverance will serve them well wherever they go after WMU.”