Over the years I’ve admired the creativity of many students in the ways they decorate and message their graduation caps during commencement. And like many things pre-COVID I may have taken for granted the rich narratives expressed in these messages.
This year, however, I was drawn and fascinated to acknowledge that for many students, commencement presents a unique opportunity to express gratitude, affirmations, and to articulate their hopes and dreams. Perhaps my awareness increased this year given that this was our first in-person commencement ceremony since 2019. Kudos to our talented photographers who thought to capture these rich narratives as a visual display for us all to appreciate.
All you have to do is view the dozen or so photographs that were captured on the evening of May 26, 2022, to realize that we were given a gift by our graduating students. They creatively conveyed a summary statement or pictorial of their educational journeys, including their perseverance in overcoming obstacles, build lasting connections through an affiliation with a discipline or academic organization, or simply a declaration of their next steps.
Take for example, the following messages of inspiration:
- Time For The Next Adventure
- Mom & Dad: Mil Gracias (a thousand thanks)
- She Believed She Could So She Did
And one of my favorites,
- Cuando me Vean Volar Recuerden Ustedes me Pintaron Las Alas. Por el Esfuerzo Y Apoyo de mi Familia (When you see me fly, remember you painted my wings. For the effort and support of my Family).
Not long after commencement I had a conversation with a colleague at another community college, and I shared the beauty I encountered in these rich graduation cap narratives. I encouraged him to work with their photographers to capture their student voices as reflected in these messages. I will be making the same request for next year’s commencement ceremony to intentionally capture as many of these as possible. I believe doing so will honor the experience of our graduating students.
If you haven’t had an opportunity to view these photos, I encourage you to take a moment and appreciate the beauty in each photograph: IVC Commencement 2022
As we begin this academic year, how appropriate to be reminded of the role each of us plays in creating and sustaining a learning environment that validates and supports each student’s experience so that it is designed for success. Through our interactions, both from within and outside of the classroom, we all can continue to shape the student experience in such a way for these end-of-year narratives to flourish.
Best,
John